Storms To Hit GA As Drought Expands: See Latest Forecast

A drought may hold strong in Georgia, but forecasters say storms are expected to return this weekend.

While Saturday will be mild and dry, the National Weather Service said isolated to scattered showers and storms may arrive Sunday. The most primary area of concern lies south of Interstate 20.

As of Friday, metro Atlanta has a 20 percent chance of rain on Sunday night, with an increasing probability for rain on Monday.

Storms could last at least through Wednesday night in the metro and surrounding areas. The NWS did not report any severe hazards expected with the systems.

An AccuWeather forecast shows a stray thunderstorm could linger Thursday.

Some parts of Georgia, including a portion of metro Atlanta, experienced a drought in September; but, the NWS predicted the drought could expand in the state in October.

This would be due to possible La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean and the fact that October is historically dry in Georgia, the NWS said. The drought may last through December.

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

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.

Wednesday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 75.