Tornadoes, Damaging Winds Possible With GA Storms: See Forecast

Updated 4:26 p.m.

ATLANTA, GA — Severe storms that could bring damaging high winds are possible this weekend in Georgia, with weather officials telling Patch that isolated tornadoes could be produced.

The stormy weather is expected to begin Sunday morning, when a cold front will push itself into the Peach State, said Ty Vaughn, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office.

The front could travel along the Interstate 85 corridor, from Lagrange to Gainesville, bringing damaging wind gusts of up to 60 mph, Vaughn told Patch on Friday. The "prolonged rain event" could drop 2.5 to 3 inches of rainfall into metro Atlanta.

The storms should transition into mostly rain by Sunday night or Monday morning. The downpour is expected to clear out by Monday night, Vaughn said.

"It's that time of the year," he said, noting the severe weather is normal behavior for Georgia.

The storms come days after at least two tornadoes battered Henry and Coweta counties on Monday. There were no injuries or deaths with either storm, according to the weather service.

As for temperatures, Friday was "unseasonably warm" in metro Atlanta. The NWS predicted temperatures in the upper 80s throughout Friday and Saturday.

Post-Sunday's cold front, the NWS said cooler temperatures may prevail next week, when below-normal temperatures are anticipated.

The weather in the metro was not solely warm; it was also full of tree pollen. Both The Weather Channel and Atlanta Allergy and Asthma reported a very high count of tree pollen.

A 15-day forecast from The Weather Channel showed tree pollen activity is expected to be between high and very high for the next two weeks.

The Atlanta Allergy and Asthma, reporting a pollen count of 5,616 on Friday, stated the top contributing factors were the following tree types: oak, mulberry, pine, sweet gum and birch.

Mold may continue to be a concern Friday, with the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma reporting its activity was high.

Ragweed pollen was also high on Friday, while grass pollen could be high on Saturday, according to The Weather Channel.

The Georgia Department of Public Health offers tips for combating pollen, while theGeorgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security provides tips for facing thunderstorms.

Here is the National Weather Service's detailed forecast for metro Atlanta as of late Friday afternoon:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 78. South wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 5 a.m, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 55. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Monday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 62.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 41.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 68.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.