Threats Of Severe Storms Rise In GA

Updated 4:31 p.m.

ATLANTA, GA — The risk for severe weather this week in Georgia sits at a Level 3 enhanced risk for Tuesday, the National Weather Service said late Monday afternoon.

The sun could shine in the afternoon hours, but the rain is expected to pour by nightfall.

Not only could hail and damaging winds pound north and central Georgia, the National Weather Service said in an update that brief tornadoes are possible.

Damaging wind gusts could travel between 50 mph and 70 mph, and hail could reach a quarter size.

The NWS said the storms could arrive after 6 p.m. Tuesday, with the peak of the threats to come between 9 p.m. Tuesday and 3 a.m. Wednesday. A cold front will contribute to the storms.

In the meantime, north and central Georgia remain in the path of potential showers and thunderstorms on Monday afternoon and evening.

Aside from damaging winds, Georgia may also be hit by hail, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall, according to the NWS' hazardous weather outlook.

The scattered storms could impact the counties of Barrow, Bartow, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Muscogee, Fulton, Oconee, Paulding, Rockdale and several others.

Afterward, Georgians may take advantage of the warm, dry weather until the Memorial Day weekend, when storms are expected to return.

Here is the National Weather Service Monday afternoon forecast for metro Atlanta:

This Afternoon: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5-15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

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

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Memorial Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.

ALSO SEE: Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap