Flood Watch Issued In Northwest GA, Light Snow Flurries Possible

GEORGIA — The new year will begin with a rainy, and possibly snowy, start in Georgia after a hazardous weather outlook was issued for portions of North and Central Georgia, the National Weather Service said.

A flood watch is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Friday evening for portions of far northwest Georgia. Waves of moderate to heavy rainfall can be expected across north and central Georgia averaging between one and three inches of accumulation. Locally, higher amounts will be possible. Persistent, heavy rainfall could lead to flooding of creeks, streams and rivers, as well as roadways and low-lying areas.

A slight chance of thunderstorms will also be possible across portions of north and central Georgia late Thursday night. No severe weather is expected at this time, but quick bursts of rain added to saturated soils may increase the risk of flooding.

The Flood Watch will continue through Friday evening for portions of far northwest Georgia as the main line of showers and isolated thunderstorms exit the region through Friday. A slight chance for light snow flurries will be possible for north Georgia on the backside of the frontal system late Saturday night, especially in higher elevations in the Georgia mountains.

The forecast through the weekend shows:

Thursday

Showers. High near 52. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 a.m. Temperature rising to around 63 by 4 a.m. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 64. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 a.m., then showers likely. Low around 49. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Saturday

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. West wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 52.

Sunday Night

Clear, with a low around 37.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 56.