Atlanta is starting Wednesday on the gray and muggy side, with Hartsfield-Jackson reporting cloudy skies and about 64°F as a soupy air mass settles over the metro. Temperatures will climb to a warm high near 82°F on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, with spotty showers possible by midafternoon. The real trouble is expected to arrive this evening and overnight, when multiple rounds of storms could bring heavy downpours and gusty winds into Thursday morning.
Flood Watch In Effect
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch from Wednesday, May 6 at 4:00 p.m. through Thursday, May 7 at 8:00 a.m. for much of north and central Georgia. Widespread rainfall totals of 1.5 to 2.5 inches are on the table, with localized pockets of 4 inches or more possible where storms repeatedly track over the same areas. Excessive runoff could push creeks out of their banks and overwhelm poor-drainage spots and urban streets. Some storms tonight may also turn severe, with damaging wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes in the mix, and officials are urging residents to stay ready for conditions that can change fast, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.
When To Watch And What To Expect
Showers are most likely to bubble up after about 2 p.m. Wednesday, then grow more widespread by evening and continue overnight into Thursday, May 7. Southwest winds around 10 mph this afternoon could ramp up to gusts of 20 to 25 mph in and near storms. Heavy downpours may quickly turn roads slick and slow traffic, so factor in extra time for the evening drive and keep an eye on any outdoor plans. For more on how this setup has been unfolding, see our May 4 coverage on the sunny Monday before storms.
What To Do Now
If you live in a flood-prone spot, move valuables out of basements or other low-lying areas ahead of the rain. Skip driving through standing water, even if it looks shallow, and think through alternate routes for the evening in case your usual path floods out. If you have outdoor plans tonight, line up an indoor backup and secure loose items that gusty winds could toss around. Keep your phone charged and close by so you can get watches and warnings if they are issued overnight.
