Potential Hurricane Developing In Atlantic Could Impact GA: Forecast

A powerful coastal storm developing this week in the Atlantic Ocean could turn into a hurricane and bring high surf, flooding and threatening currents to Georgia, forecasters warned.

The system is expected to trek up the East Coast, possibly directly impacting the Carolinas and the mid-Atlantic states, but not before potentially affecting marine conditions in the Peach State, according to an Accuweather forecast.

The front is currently considered a tropical storm, but officials warned that it could develop enough strength to become classified as a hurricane. If it becomes a named storm, it would be dubbed Karen.

As the storm moves from the warmer waters in the south to the colder northeastern coast, it could broaden and cool and become a nor'easter, a storm classification usually reserved for the winter.

"The storm will form just off the Georgia coast late this week and move northward this weekend to next week," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. "As the storm drifts to the north, it will grow stronger each day."

The coastal areas along the Jersey Shore will see the most severe impacts, with tides rising 1 to 3 inches above normal, and storm surges of up to 6 feet possible, forecasters said.

"In a worst-case scenario, the storm could evolve to hurricane strength and turn inland over the mid-Atlantic with a zone where a significant storm surge, high winds and heavy rain occur just to the north of the center," Accuweather reported.

The storm is likely to affect coastal conditions in Georgia from Friday to Monday, forecasters said.

For the Savannah area, that likely means beach erosion, rip currents, rough surf and prolonged coastal flooding.

The National Weather Service forecasts up to 1 foot of saltwater inundation above ground level Thursday morning, then up to half a foot of flooding Thursday evening, in the Savannah area. Coastal Bryan, Chatham, McIntosh and Liberty counties will be impacted.

This has prompted a coastal flood advisory that will remain in effect until noon Thursday in these counties. There will also be a risk of dangerous rip currents until 8 p.m. Thursday.

A high surf advisory will start at 2 p.m. Thursday and end at 8 a.m. Sunday due to 5-6 feet high breaking waves at local beaches.

"Saltwater inundation will impact some roads. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water," the NWS said.

Forecasters notified that mid-morning high tide Thursday at Fort Pulaski could bring flooding at least an hour after the tide.

Though flood levels will vary as the week continues, forecasters say no major inundation is expected at this time along the Georgia coast.

Meanwhile, showers may arrive from 4-8 p.m. Thursday in metro Atlanta, but the remainder of the week is expected to be sunny with high temperatures mostly in the 70s.

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

Today: A 10 percent chance of showers after 4 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. East wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 54.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Columbus Day: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 61.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 61.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82.