Heavy Rain and Storms Tonight & Thursday

A dynamic storm system will bring widespread rain, gusty winds, and scattered storms tonight through Thursday morning. Heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding. An isolated severe storm or two is also possible.

Rain with embedded storms will develop across western areas as early as late evening and overspread the remainder of our area through the night.
▪ The primary time of the isolated flooding and severe storm threat will be from around daybreak through early afternoon.
▪ Activity will begin ending from the west around sunrise and push east of the area during early afternoon, although a few showers may linger into the afternoon and evening.
▪ Winds will steadily increase through tonight, peaking during the daylight hours before relaxing a bit Thursday evening

Heavy rain will result in primarily localized nuisance flooding. However, isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out, especially in mountainous locations near the NC/SC border and across northeast GA, where totals of 2 to 4 inches (locally higher amounts) are expected.
▪ A couple of strong-to-severe storms could produce brief damaging wind gusts and perhaps a brief, weak tornado.
▪ Frequent wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph are expected, with 40 to 50 mph gusts possible in elevations above 4000 feet

Some uncertainty continues regarding forecast rainfall totals. The axis of heaviest rainfall is currently expected to pass south of our forecast area. However, there remains some potential for this axis to shift as far north as the I-85 corridor.

Very gusty winds are expected in the wake of a cold front on Friday. These winds are forecast to be stronger than what is expected Thursday. High Wind Warnings or Wind Advisories may become necessary for all or part of our area.