Atlanta residents can expect a wet and windy Tuesday, with storms and heavy rainfall predicted to hit the region before the afternoon hours. The city is preparing for a deluge, as the National Weather Service warns of showers, possible thunderstorms, and high winds throughout the day. Forecasters say that winds could reach speeds of up to 40 mph. "Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers after 3pm," was the word from the NWS. Rainfall could tally between 1 and 2 inches, making for a soggy day in Atlanta.
The tempest isn't set to last long, however, as the weather is expected to calm down by nightfall. By this evening, Atlanta skies will be mostly cloudy, with the temperature dropping to a low of around 33 degrees. Those gusting winds are sticking around, though, the west wind blowing around 20 mph with potential gusts clocking in at 35 mph, that's according to the National Weather Service. Residents will see a reprieve from the rain on Wednesday, with partly sunny skies and highs near 47 degrees forecasted.
Looking ahead, the relief is short-lived with more rain expected to arrive by the end of the week. Thursday night Atlanta faces a 40 percent chance of showers, with the wind calming down a bit. By Friday, storms are back in the picture, similar to what citizens might be seeing today. The NWS is predicting a "high near 61. Windy," with another round of 100 percent chance of precipitation. The following night will likely see continued showers and even possible thunderstorms before everything winds down by 8pm.
For those planning their weekend, the skies will clear up once again following Friday's storms, offering Atlanta a dose of sunshine on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's forecast from the National Weather Service calls for mostly sunny weather, with a high of around 43 degrees. By nighttime, temperatures will dip to a low of around 27, but conditions remain partly cloudy. The stretch of pleasant weather continues into Sunday, which should see a mostly sunny day with a high nearing 48 degrees.
Yet as Atlantans look to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the skies may open up once again. A 40 percent chance of showers could dampen the festivities, with partly sunny skies and temperatures hovering near the 49-degree mark. The holiday weather appears to teeter between tribute and nature's temperament, beckoning the city to not only commemorate Dr. King's legacy but to also prepare for possible rainfall.
