GA Storms Flood Roads; More Rain In Latest Forecast

ATLANTA, GA — After parts of Georgia faced minor flooding and washed out roadways Wednesday, weather officials warned the weekend storm system could be stronger.

Multiple fronts are quickly traveling through Georgia, dropping inches of rainfall.

"The weather is coming at us fast and furious with a new system every couple of days," National Weather Service meteorologist Keith Spellman told Patch Thursday.

He added the two-day rainfall totals reached at least 3 inches in metro Atlanta on Wednesday after persistent showers rolled through the area. Near Canton in Cherokee County and near Rockmart in the Southwest region, rain totals were nearly 6 inches.

Slight flooding occurred in metro Atlanta, including Peachtree Creek in Fulton County, Spellman said.

Around 9:45 a.m. Thursday, 4,753 Georgians were without power, according to the outage tracker poweroutage.us.

Cobb County government officials warned of water-covered streets near Sweetwater Creek, Allatoona Creek, the Chattahoochee River and others. Most roads were reopened by 8 a.m. Thursday.

Newton County also saw some flooding, government officials said on Facebook.

Fox 5 Atlanta photos appeared to show drivers sitting in flooded waters on the roadway in Sandy Springs.

Spellman said the rain should start to dwindle throughout Thursday as cold air and north-northwest winds push into the state.

Friday still looks to be sunny and clear in time for Valentine's Day; however, the active weather pattern will ramp back up with the week's third system during the weekend, Spellman said.

At least an inch of rain will return Saturday night into Sunday, he said. In its detailed forecast, the NWS predicted a 40 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Saturday.

Georgians should mindful of weekend wind speeds that could reach at least 60 mph as the impending storm system could usher in heavy rain and severe weather. At 60 mph, winds could knock down trees and power lines, Spellman said.

There is a question mark with the system, however, as residents await to see if the severe hazards will creep into metro Atlanta or remain south near Columbus, Spellman said.

As for temperatures, Thursday's highs are in the 50s. Georgia warm up ahead of the night rain on Saturday before returning to the 50s on Sunday, Spellman said. Monday may feel slightly chilly with high temperatures in the 40s.

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

This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: Widespread frost, mainly after 4 a.m. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday: Widespread frost, mainly before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 5-10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night: Showers after 1 a.m. Low around 40. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Saturday: Showers, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 55. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Sunday: Showers likely before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Washington's Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 49.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Wednesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.