Severe Storm Could Bring Tornadoes, Flooding To GA This Weekend

ATLANTA, GA — The probability of a severe storm system that could threaten parts of Georgia with tornadoes and hail this weekend has increased, the National Weather Service said Tuesday.

The NWS said the forecast puts the storm's estimated arrival at late Saturday afternoon into early Sunday afternoon. The system will be rushing in from the west about two days after possible isolated thunderstorms pour into the north and central region on Thursday.

Georgia counties in this area, including metro Atlanta and counties as far as near Albany, on Tuesday were at a Category 3 threat level for a strong storm to roll in Saturday. The remainder of the state was at a Category 2 risk for Sunday.

The NWS maintained Georgia could face tornadoes, damaging winds, flooding and hail with the potentially troubling system; though, the weather service reported uncertainty with the severe weather.

The strongest threat for flooding lies in northwest Georgia, the NWS stated.

In addition to the NWS, AccuWeather meteorologists predicted the storm will batter Georgia, starting Saturday.

Targeting much of the central and southern U.S., the system will travel from the central Gulf coast northward into the Great Lakes region, dropping a few thunderstorms along the way, AccuWeather reported.

The private weather company forecasted severe storms will heavily flock to the southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, middle and eastern Tennessee, the western part of the Florida Panhandle and western Georgia.

Counties in north Georgia and metro Atlanta are at a moderate risk for severe weather on Saturday, while areas south and east of Interstate 75 are at some risk as of Monday, according to an AccuWeather forecast graphic.

The NWS urged residents to continue monitoring the forecast.

Here is the National Weather Service's detailed forecast for metro Atlanta as of noon Tuesday:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5-10 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74. West wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65.