Atlanta woke up Thursday, March 12, 2026, to light rain and patchy fog, with temperatures sitting in the low 60s at Hartsfield-Jackson and visibility dropping in spots. A line of showers and thunderstorms that pushed through overnight is hanging around for the morning rush, bringing brief heavy downpours and gusty winds. Drivers can expect slick pavement, slower traffic and pockets of low visibility on the interstates through mid-morning.
Morning Storms And Tornado Watch
A Tornado Watch remains in place for parts of western Georgia until 8 a.m. Thursday, and forecasters warn that some storms could turn strong to severe, with localized damaging wind gusts or a brief tornado. The line is also producing pockets of heavy rain, with new rainfall totals near three quarters to one inch and wind gusts up to 30 mph in the strongest cells, according to the National Weather Service.
Timing And Commute Impacts
Showers and thunderstorms are most likely before 10 a.m., then skies should start to clear toward midday, with afternoon highs near 58°F despite the milder start. Northwest winds will ramp up to around 15 to 20 mph with gusts near 30 mph, making for a blustery feel on bridges and other exposed routes later in the day. For background on the system and timing, see how late-week storms crash the warmup.
Afternoon Clearing And Weekend Outlook
By Thursday afternoon, most of the metro should be mostly sunny and breezy, with highs in the upper 50s and a cooler night ahead near 39°F. Friday is expected to be sunny and warmer, with highs in the mid 60s, and a brief warm spell could send temperatures into the mid 70s by Saturday before another front moves in late Sunday into Monday. Keep an eye on the National Weather Service for any late changes to timing or new watches.
How To Prepare
Make sure phones are set to receive weather alerts and plan on extra travel time for the morning commute. Do not drive through standing water, and slow down if rain turns heavy. Before the stronger winds arrive, secure loose outdoor items, and if a warning is issued, move to an interior room away from windows until the storm passes.
