Erin's Dangerous Threat Remains Strong In GA: Latest Timeline

Hurricane Erin remains a threat Wednesday for coastal Georgia as a stormy cold front could lead to the start of fall weather for the state.

Though Erin is not slated to hit land, its hazardous marine and coastal effects may be felt through Wednesday along Georgia and South Carolina, the National Weather Service's Charleston, South Carolina office said Tuesday.

Erin was situated off the East Coast and was expected to hammer beaches along Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida, Virginia and other nearby coastal states, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Weather officials warned the most significant of impactful conditions may arise from 5 to 9 p.m. near Georgia, sending a caution to any swimmers or beachgoers. Waves could surpass 6 feet Wednesday afternoon and evening, and strong rip currents could appear often at all local beaches, the NWS predicted.

Forecasters say they are most worried about high tide rearing itself around 6:45 p.m. at beaches. Massive waves blended with rising water levels can lead to beach erosion, they added.

Due to the menacing surf conditions, a high surf advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for Bryan, Chatham, Liberty and McIntosh counties.

The NWS advised the following tips if caught in a rip current:

• Swim along the shoreline, not directly into shore.
• Once free of the current's pull, swim at an angle and away from the current toward shore.
• If needed, tread water and wave or call for help.

Though the system has wavered in strength as it moved east of the Bahamas, Erin is a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph on Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.

As the storm slowly moves away from the U.S., at its closest it will track about 200 miles east of North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Thursday, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

GA/SC Coast: Large waves (6+ ft), strong & frequent rip currents, and beach erosion on Wed from Hurricane Erin's swells. Significant beach erosion will be possible around high tide (6:47 PM) when waves may reach the dune line. Here are #Erin's forecast waves heights Wed PM. pic.twitter.com/wFGqUBlMGt
— NWS Charleston, SC (@NWSCharlestonSC) August 19, 2025

While counties in north and central Georgia will escape Erin's wrath, stormy days are in the region's near future.

A cold front is expected to stall and raise chances of storms into the weekend, the NWS' Peachtree City's office said Wednesday. At the highest probability, there will be a 60 percent chance of downpour Friday and Saturday.

Severe weather is not anticipated to be widespread, but scattered thunderstorms could slam the region with frequent lightning, locally heavy rainfall and wind gusts of 40 mph on Wednesday.

This would impact metro Atlanta and outlying counties, from Fulton to Douglas to Cherokee and Clarke. Storms could last through at least Sunday.

After the storm, dry conditions may be favorable for fall-like weather, the NWS said. Temperatures in the low 80s may be persistent by Tuesday.

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

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday: A slight chance of thunderstorms, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 69.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.