Atlanta is waking Thursday to clear skies and temperatures near 63 degrees, but the calm start is a brief pause before a much rougher weekend. The city should reach 86 degrees this afternoon with mostly sunny skies and no rain, making Thursday the last easy outdoor day before wind and storm chances ramp up.
Friday remains partly sunny and cooler at about 79, but east winds will strengthen to 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Rain showers are likely after 8 p.m. Friday, with a 60% chance of precipitation and gusts potentially reaching 30 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
The latest update is a sharper escalation from Hoodline's earlier Atlanta forecast, which had already flagged a wet weekend but not the same level of wind, flooding and tornado concern. The most disruptive weather is now expected from Friday night through early Sunday.
Weekend Storms Bring Wind And Flooding Concerns
Saturday is the main weather pivot: showers are expected through the day, thunderstorms could develop later, and the chance of rain is 80%. The high near 73°F will come with gusts stronger than 25 mph, while Saturday night could still bring rain.
Sunday stays unsettled, with showers and thunderstorms likely, a high near 77 and an 80% chance of rain. The weather service says much of Georgia could see 2 to 3 inches over the weekend, with locally higher totals possible where rainbands linger, raising the potential for flash flooding and river flooding.
Forecasters are also watching for tornadoes, especially near the boundary between warmer, stormier air and cooler air settling into north Georgia. Stronger winds are possible too, with the broader forecast calling for sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts of 25 to 35 mph at times.
Dry Weather Returns For Columbus Day
The unsettled pattern should ease Sunday night, when only a 30% chance of showers remains before skies turn partly cloudy. Columbus Day on Monday looks mostly sunny and warmer near 81, followed by mostly sunny weather Tuesday near 82.
No watches, warnings or advisories are posted for Atlanta in the current forecast, but forecasters say a wind-related watch could be issued as the system gets closer. Residents should secure loose outdoor items, monitor updates and avoid driving through flooded roads if heavy rain sets up over the city.
