Storm Alert Day: Severe Thunderstorm Watch expands, threat extends overnight

ATLANTA - Scorching heat and the threat of severe thunderstorms will continue across Georgia through the end of the week, with a heat advisory issued for parts of the state and a Code Orange air quality alert in effect for metro Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the severe storm threat which began on Wednesday afternoon is expected to continue now through the early morning hours on Thursday.

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Severe Thunderstorm Watch

What we know:

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Butts, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Carroll, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clay, Clayton, Clinch, Cobb, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Douglas, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Fayette, Fulton, Glynn, Grady, Harris, Heard, Henry, Houston, Irwin, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, Macon, Marion, McIntosh, Meriwether, Miller, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscogee, Newton, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Rockdale, Schley, Seminole, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Troup, Turner, Twiggs, Upson, Ware, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkinson, and Worth counties through 4 a.m.

Severe thunderstorm threats

Local perspective:

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect through midnight in some areas, and through 4 a.m. Thursday in others. 

Scattered thunderstorms are likely each afternoon and evening through at least Tuesday, with damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours possible. Hail could also accompany stronger storms, especially Thursday and Friday.

There is the potential for damaging winds, large hail, prolific lightning and flash flooding, according to the FOX 5 Storm Team.  "Once those storms start to push in overhead, our biggest impacts are going to be those damaging winds, maybe gusting up to 50 to 60 mph. We’re also looking for large hail and some localized flooding," she said.

A Level 3 out of 5 severe weather risk has been issued for northeast Georgia, with a secondary but still significant threat for metro Atlanta and areas to the north and west. 

High heat index

What they're saying:

The FOX 5 Storm Team warns that heat index values on Thursday could climb between 99 and 104 degrees in many areas, prompting concerns for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, young children, and pets. The northwestern corner of Georgia will remain under a heat advisory until 8 p.m. Thursday, with some areas feeling as hot as 107 degrees.

FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist Laurann Robinson said, "Outside of that heat, we did have heat advisories in place this afternoon. Those have been allowed to expire. Some areas will see them repeat [Thursday] afternoon. But right now it still feels like the 90s across most of North Georgia."

Code Orange Air Quality Alert Thursday

Big picture view:

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Thursday, warning that ground-level ozone could make outdoor air unhealthy for children, people with heart or lung disease, and anyone sensitive to ozone. Prolonged outdoor activity should be limited during the late afternoon and early evening.

Atlanta weather forecast

Timeline:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 96. Heat index up to 99. 60% chance of storms late in the day.
• Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7 p.m., low around 71.
• Friday: High near 91, storms likely after 11 a.m. Heat index may reach 97.
• Friday Night: Storms likely before 11 p.m., then partly cloudy.
• Saturday–Sunday: Daily highs around 91 with storm chances each afternoon.

Georgia weather outlook

Extreme North Georgia Mountains:

• Temperatures in the low 90s Thursday, with a 50% chance of storms after 2 p.m.
• Rain and thunderstorm chances increase through the weekend with daily highs in the upper 80s.

Northwest Georgia:

• Thursday’s high near 95 with a heat index up to 103. 30% storm chance late in the day.
• Storms likely Friday through Sunday, with temperatures falling slightly into the upper 80s to low 90s.

Weekend weather

What's next:

Robinson said the state will see "one more very hot day" before a slight cooldown begins over the weekend. By early next week, high temperatures are expected to dip into the upper 80s, though storm chances will persist daily.

More: Tips to beat the heat during Wednesday's Heat Advisory

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