Thursday, July 23 came in hot and muggy for metro Atlanta, with temperatures hovering near 75°F and humidity already cranked up. Mostly clear skies this morning are expected to cloud up, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible late this afternoon into tonight. A Flood Watch remains in effect for parts of north Georgia through late Friday evening, and forecasters say the biggest concerns are heavy downpours and brief flash flooding.
Afternoon Storms And Flood Risk
After about 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, showers and thunderstorms become increasingly likely, with the best coverage in the late afternoon and early evening. The high will top out near 91°F, and it will feel hotter, with heat-index values pushing into the upper 90s, around 97°F. Southwest winds of 5 to 10 mph are expected, with gusts near 20 mph.
Slow-moving storms repeatedly firing along a stalled frontal boundary could drop a widespread 1 to 3 inches of rain, with locally higher totals possible. That pattern raises the odds of urban and flash flooding, according to NWS Atlanta/Peachtree City.
Friday Into The Weekend
Rain chances stay elevated on Friday, with showers and thunderstorms likely during the day and into the evening as the stalled front hangs around. Saturday looks unsettled too, with scattered to numerous storms expected in the afternoon and evening before drier, hotter air moves in early next week.
Temperatures will slip into the upper 80s this weekend, then climb back into the low to mid 90s by Monday and Tuesday. On some days, heat-index values could top 100°F, so the break from the heat will be brief.
Local Impacts And What To Do
Low-lying roads, underpasses and spots with poor drainage are the most vulnerable in heavy rain, so avoid driving through standing water and build extra time into your afternoon commute in case storms slow things down. Try to limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and keep weather alerts enabled for your neighborhood so you are not caught off guard by a fast-developing storm.
If you need a place to cool off, the City of Atlanta is operating a cooling center at Selena S. Butler Park on weekdays. Bottled water is available, and hours are generally 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For the latest information on hours and any changes, check with the City of Atlanta.
