Drizzly skies and morning fog settled over Atlanta today, with temperatures hovering near 72°F and visibility trimmed to about 5 miles. Sunshine should break through and push highs into the mid 80s this afternoon, but the real story hits Thursday and Friday, when multiple rounds of heavy, tropical-fed rain could bring flooding across the metro.
Today
A slight chance of morning showers should fade by midmorning, giving way to mostly sunny skies and a high near 86°F. West winds will stay on the lighter side at 0 to 10 mph, with gusts up to around 20 mph possible in the afternoon. Thunderstorm chances are low today, but they start climbing later in the week as richer Gulf moisture moves back into the region.
Thursday–Friday Flood Watch
A Flood Watch is in effect from Thursday morning through late Friday night, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters expect widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher pockets of 5 inches or more where storms repeatedly track over the same spots. Urban and poor-drainage areas will be most at risk for flash flooding.
On Thursday, some storms could also turn severe, with damaging wind gusts and the chance of an isolated tornado, so conditions may change quickly. The bottom line: be ready for periods of heavy rain, quick ponding on roads, and rapidly shifting weather through late week.
Juneteenth And The Weekend
Friday (Juneteenth) looks unsettled, with showers and thunderstorms likely and highs in the low to mid 80s, so many holiday plans could end up soggy. If you have outdoor events, it is wise to build in a backup plan or at least some covered space.
Conditions should improve on Saturday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 87°F as the area dries out a bit. Scattered storm chances creep back in on Sunday and into early next week, but the most serious flooding threat is focused on Thursday and Friday.
What To Expect And How To Prepare
The main near-term concerns are urban flooding, standing water on roads, and travel delays. Never drive through flooded streets, even if the water looks shallow, and allow extra time for commutes as heavy rain moves through. If you live in a flood-prone area, move valuables out of basements or ground-floor spaces, and keep wireless emergency alerts and local notifications turned on.
For background on recent rounds of heavy rain in the metro, check out earlier coverage. This forecast will continue to evolve, so keep an eye on local alerts and follow any guidance from emergency officials as the storms roll in.
