Hot, Soggy Labor Day Weather Could Dampen GA's Travel Plans: Forecast

GEORGIA — Labor Day weekend in Georgia may be hot and soggy due to forthcoming high pressure and a cold front in the Southeast, according to forecasters.

Aspiring beachgoers may get discouraged as storms are predicted to threaten their plans Monday, but forecasters told Patch parts of Georgia could see some raindrops as soon as Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Peach State may not cool down in the near future as temperatures are forecast to heat up the days leading into the peak of hurricane season, which is in September.

Forecasts from both AccuWeather and the National Weather Service indicate Labor Day storms could drench Georgia on Monday, potentially dampening any activities.

"Labor Day may not be a good beach day for these areas in the South," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in a news release Monday.

He added storms could affect states near the Gulf Ocean to those near the south Atlantic Ocean, north of the Florida peninsula.

As of Wednesday, the National Weather Service forecasted a 40 percent chance for showers and thunderstorms Monday from metro Atlanta to Savannah and areas in between.

The storms could be due to an anticipated strong cold front set to approach Georgia on Monday, though a tiny part of north Georgia could feel its impacts as soon as Sunday, AccuWeather said in a report released Monday.

RELATED: GA Faces 'Supercharged' Hurricane Season: AccuWeather Forecast

In typical summertime fashion, isolated to scattered thunderstorms could arrive after 4 p.m. Thursday into north and central Georgia, according to the forecast and National Weather Service meteorologist Katie Martin.

Martin said the system will not be strong or "super organized," but pop-up storms are possible in north and central Georgia.

She added hail and damaging wind gusts could be an issue with these storms though not widespread. Most of the storms may occur in the afternoons and evenings, she said.

As with past storms in Atlanta, Martin said there is always a chance of flooding due to overflow; however, the impending storms are not expected to bring significant or impactful flooding to the area.

Though there is a minimal risk of a tropical system possibly developing east of the Lesser Antilles sometime between Saturday and Monday, AccuWeather said the U.S. (excluding Hawaii) should escape any impacts from the system during the week.

However, conditions may be more favorable for tropical development in the Atlantic basin starting next week, AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said in the release.

As for the heat, summertime temperatures will continue to warm the Gulf Coast this week, AccuWeather said.

Georgia temperatures are expected to move through highs in the 90s and lows in the 70s through Monday, the weather service predicted Wednesday.

This is unlike Georgia's neighbors, where temperatures could reach 105-110 degrees midweek in portions of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, AccuWeather said.

While Martin said the heat prediction is normal for this time of the year, it could be a concern for people with heat sensitivity. She urged residents to remain hydrated when outdoors.

"The good news is that our heat index values will generally stay below criteria used for advisories," Martin said, noting heat indices should generally stay below the 105-degree threshold.

Travel Ahead of Labor Day

Travel agency AAA on Aug. 19 surmised a peak congestion time of 1:45 p.m. Thursday for Labor Day traveling from metro Atlanta to Savannah via Interstate 16 east, when traveling could last for 5 hours and 1 minute.

During this time, the metro is expected to see a 28 percent traffic increase, AAA said.

In Georgia, AccuWeather said travelers may feel a blend of fair and good weather Friday.

The National Weather Service forecasted a 20 percent chance of showers and storms after 2 p.m. Friday, though the weather should be mostly sunny at 93 degrees.

With hot and thundery weather anticipated in the central and eastern U.S., Pastelok warned delays on the road and by airplane could occur in some parts of the U.S., including areas stretching from Oklahoma City and Dallas to Detroit and Chicago.

AccuWeather projected a peak of 300 flight cancellations Sunday, the day before Labor Day. Outdoor plans in Atlanta and Charlotte may be threatened by travel delays or disruptions, forecasters said.

The AccuWeather forecast shows humid temperatures toward the end of this week for all of Georgia.