Wednesday morning in Atlanta is mostly cloudy and already feeling thick, with dew points in the low 70s making the air downright muggy. Expect a high this afternoon and a heat index that could climb into the upper 90s during the hottest hours. A chance of showers and thunderstorms increases later today, mainly after 3 p.m., with south winds around 5 mph and gusts to roughly 20 mph.
Afternoon Storms And Heat
The afternoon will be the prime window for scattered storms as the heat builds. Any pop-up cells may bring brief heavy downpours, frequent lightning and gusty winds. The official forecast calls for about a 30% chance of showers and storms this afternoon and notes that heat index values could make it feel much hotter than the actual air temperature. For the latest timing and short-term updates, see the National Weather Service.
Late-Week Flood Threat
Later in the week, forecasters say a front will stall over north Georgia and tap a very moist airmass, with moisture streaming north from Tropical Storm Bertha. That setup increases the odds for repeated rounds of heavy rain from Thursday into the weekend. Portions of north Georgia are in a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall, raising the chance of localized flash flooding where storms train over the same neighborhoods, according to the Weather Prediction Center. If you live near creeks, low-lying streets or spots that usually pond, keep an eye out for rapid rises in runoff and standing water after any strong downpour.
Plan For The Commute And The Weekend
The evening commute could get soggy in neighborhoods where storms fire up, so allow extra travel time and use caution around flooded or ponded roads. If you have outdoor plans, try to move activities to the morning or late evening when it will be cooler and storms are less likely, and make sure people and pets stay hydrated. Keep a phone handy for short-term radar updates, since storms will be spotty but can intensify quickly.
Cooling And Local Resources
The City of Atlanta has opened cooling resources during recent heat events, and a nearby option in past activations has been Selena S. Butler Park (98 William Holmes Borders Senior Dr NE). If you plan to use public cooling centers this week, check local updates for hours and availability before you go.
