Tropical Storm To Threaten GA Coast: Latest Forecast

Lightning-producing storms are expected to strike the Peach State through at least Friday morning, while a tropical storm could soon slam the Georgia coast, according to forecasters.

Residents living in eastern Georgia may experience the stronger storms on Thursday and Friday, but the National Weather Service said strong to severe storms could also impact the north and central regions, including metro Atlanta.

Wind speeds may reach 50-60 mph, and residents in far north Georgia may want to be cautious of flooding ranging from 2-4 inches.

It is possible the trend could continue through at least Wednesday, according to the NWS' hazardous weather outlook. However, a detailed forecast showed the sun could shine on Georgia, starting Sunday.

High temperatures will sit in the low 80s, while low temperatures will range from the mid- to high 60s.

Tropical Storm Humberto

This comes amid the formation of Tropical Storm Humberto in the Atlantic Ocean. According to an AccuWeather forecast, the system is expected to bring coastal hazards to the Savannah area, possibly from Sunday through Tuesday.

A NWS hazardous weather outlook showed rip currents may be of concern through Thursday night, but the chance for widespread hazardous weather was low.

Forecasters say Humberto could become the next major hurricane, culminating at a Category 4, between Bermuda and the U.S. AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said hurricane formation could happen as soon as this weekend.

"This storm may track close enough to Bermuda to bring rain and gusty winds starting Sunday night or early Monday. One certainty is that seas, surf and increasing rip currents will build and impact beaches across the Bahamas, Bermuda and the East Coast starting this weekend and perhaps lasting through the middle of next week. There are strong indications that Humberto will have a great deal of help doing so," AccuWeather predicted.

According to the private weather service, Humberto was located about 480 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and was dispersing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.

The system was heading northwest at 10 mph, AccuWeather reported.

Forecasters cautioned another tropical storm could develop in the Atlantic near the southeastern coast. As of Thursday, the system was a tropical wave traveling over the northern Caribbean.

"While this current tropical wave was poorly organized at midweek, it has a high chance of tropical development late this week and especially the weekend as it pulls away from the mountainous land mass of Hispaniola and nears the small islands and shoals of the Bahamas," DaSilva said in a news release.

The system may not be a problem for the southern Atlantic coast until early next week, AccuWeather reported.

The next name on the 2025 Atlantic hurricane list is Imelda.

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

Today: Showers and thunderstorms before 4 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5 p.m. High near 81. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8 a.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.