More Severe Storms Expected In GA: Latest Timeline

Updated 9:21 a.m. Thursday

GEORGIA — The National Weather Service said the storm risk for parts of Georgia has increased, with severe storms forecast on Thursday across a broad swath of the state, including metro Atlanta.

The NWS on Wednesday reported the storm risk stretches up to northwest Georgia, where Rome sits. After passing through the northwest, scattered storms are expected to trek southeast as they head toward Albany, Tifton and Savannah.

Residents may anticipate the storms between 2 p.m. Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday. Quarter-sized to golf ball-sized hail, tornadoes and damaging winds may come with the storms. The severity of the storms could come between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., the NWS said Thursday.

The storms will be a continuation of a series of severe weather Georgia has recently faced. In a matter of days, the Peach State has been warm, stormy and cold.

Multiple tornadoes have spun around the southern metro and its outskirts, and a fallen tree killed a Columbus police officer and his father on Monday.

AccuWeather on Wednesday released its preliminary reports of tornadoes by state. The private weather company reported Georgia has battled 21 tornadoes so far this year as of Wednesday.

Nationally, 470 tornadoes have been reported, shattering the former record of 260, AccuWeather stated.

“This has been an extremely dangerous and destructive stretch of spring severe weather. Tornadoes have damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses across the central and southeastern U.S.," AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin said in a news release.

"Catastrophic flash flooding has left communities underwater and caused major disruptions to business, commerce and shipping operations. The frequency and severity of extreme weather in America this year has been alarming. There is no doubt that weather disasters are taking a major toll on people’s overall lives, their finances, physical health and mental health.”

Related:

• Son Killed By Fallen Tree During Storm Was GA Police Officer
• Sleeping Camper Killed By Fallen Tree In GA Wilderness
• Father, Son Killed After Tree Falls On Golf Cart Amid GA Storms

Here is the National Weather Service's detailed forecast for Thursday morning in metro Atlanta:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11 p.m. and midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 5-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 42.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 50.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.