Atlanta is waking up warm, sticky and already on the climb, with temperatures around 75°F this morning at Hartsfield-Jackson. By mid-afternoon, the city is expected to be in the low 90s, and the humidity will make it feel even hotter. On top of that, scattered pop-up storms are expected to start firing after about 2 p.m., with an even better shot at downpours and a few stronger storms over the weekend.
Heat Advisory And What To Expect
The National Weather Service has a Heat Advisory in place for portions of east-central Georgia from noon to 8 p.m. today. Heat index values are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s and could top 100°F in some spots. In Atlanta, look for a high near 93°F and a sticky surge in humidity in the middle of the afternoon. Officials are urging people to limit strenuous outdoor work, drink water often and check on neighbors who are older or live alone.
Afternoon Storms Could Pack A Punch
Shower and thunderstorm chances go up after about 2 p.m. Many of these will be standard-issue summer storms, but forecasters warn a few could be on the stronger side, bringing damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rain. The strongest storms this weekend could kick up winds of 50 to 60 mph, and slow-moving downpours could cause flash flooding in low-lying spots. If you have outdoor plans, be ready to move inside quickly and keep an eye out for sudden lightning and heavy rain from late afternoon into the evening.
Commute And Event Impacts
Drivers heading home later in the day may run into quick-hitting downpours that cut visibility and produce gusty crosswinds. That means slowing down and leaving more room to stop is a smart move. Away from storms, winds should stay around 5 to 10 mph from the west with occasional gusts near 20 mph, but any individual storm could be much stronger. Outdoor events and sports fields should expect brief delays as storms pop up fast and move through.
Where To Cool Off And Get Help
The City of Atlanta is opening cooling resources for those who need a break from the heat. One known location is Selena S. Butler Park (Butler Park) at 98 William Holmes Borders Senior Dr NE, Atlanta 30312. Anyone needing a cool place this afternoon should call 311 or check the city’s emergency preparedness pages for current hours and additional sites.
Legal Protections
Georgia rules limit residential power shutoffs when a National Weather Service Heat Advisory is in effect. The Georgia Public Service Commission has guidance that explains those protections, which are focused on Georgia Power customers. Rules may not work the same way for municipal utilities or electric membership cooperatives, so anyone at risk of a disconnect should contact their own provider.
Stay Ready
Light clothing, earlier outdoor plans and a steady watch on local alerts will go a long way on a day like this. Look for updates if advisories change, and for more on the recent stretch of hot weather, check out our earlier Hoodline forecast deep dive on this heat wave.
