Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Atlanta, GA

Area Forecast Discussion...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
920 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

...Late Evening Update...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected across
  the area this afternoon through Thursday morning. Several storms
  may be severe, capable of producing damaging winds, a few
  tornadoes, and large hail.

- A Flood Watch is in effect from late Wednesday through Thursday
  morning for portions of north and central GA where a widespread
  1.5 to 2.5 inches of rainfall and localized amounts over 4
  inches may lead to flooding in poor drainage and flood prone
  areas.

- Cooler temperatures Thursday into Friday will give way to a
  warming trend through the weekend.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 853 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

The radar remains active for much of Northern and portions of
western Georgia this evening as scattered showers and
thunderstorms overspread the area. We have had a few thunderstorms
take advantage of the favorable environment and produce pea to
quarter sized hail. However, the night is still young. While
instability has started to wane following sunset, it is
anticipated that a strengthening LLJ, currently in LA/MS, will
help to bring a resurge of LL instability, enhance shear and
helicity (LL spin) within the vicinity of the front. Thus, the
severe threat will continue through early Thursday morning. A
Tornado Watch remains in effect for much of North and parts of
western Georgia through 2 AM. All hazards (damaging wind in excess
of 60 MPH, hail, and a few tornadoes) are all on the table.
Additionally, we are becoming more concerned about flooding
through the overnight period due to 'training' thunderstorms. In
other words, storms with very heavy rainfall rates moving over the
same locations. Despite ongoing drought conditions, heavy
rainfall over a short period of time will still contribute to
flash flooding threat for these areas that see 'training' storms,
any low lying or poor drainage areas and urban areas -- especially
over portions of Central GA in an area from Carrollton to
Columbus eastwards towards Atlanta and Macon. A Flood Watch
remains in effect for most of the forecast area where largely
1.5-2.5 inches of rain can be expected through Thursday morning.
Locally higher amounts, 3-5+ inches, especially with any strong
thunderstorms, are also possible. With the threat for severe and
flooding persisting through the overnight period it's very
important to ensure that you make your preparation prior to going
to bed in the event a warning is issued overnight and you need to
shelter quickly.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Thursday)
Issued at 421 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

A low pressure system is exiting the Great Lakes region and moving
into the Northeast. A cold front extending from this low is
positioned over the Tennessee Valley region and slowly advancing
southeast towards north Georgia. Southwesterly flow at the surface
and mid levels continues to bring in warm and moist air from the
Gulf, which will help dewpoints increase into the upper 60s to near
70s and precipitable water values increase to between 1.75-2 inches
in portions of north and west Georgia by the middle of the
afternoon. Another round of showers ahead of the front is spreading
eastward into the far northern tier. With SBCAPE between 500-1000
J/kg, scattered thunderstorms will also be expected within these
showers. The greatest low-level shear is still displaced to the
northwest of the forecast area, though a couple of strong storms
capable of producing frequent lightning, locally heavy rain, and
gusty winds will be possible through the remainder of the afternoon.
High temperatures this afternoon will be limited to the 70s in far
north Georgia underneath overcast skies and amid the ongoing
precipitation. Highs will be in the low 80s in and parallel to
Atlanta/Athens and in the mid to upper 80s to the south.

Tonight, the progression of the cold front will begin to slow as it
enters far northwest Georgia. Mid level disturbances traversing the
southwesterly flow aloft will overrun this front. This will help
organize multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms overnight into
Thursday, which will lead to both severe weather and flooding
threats. These will be detailed below:

Severe Weather Potential:

The most likely time window for severe weather will be tonight
through early Thursday morning as the front enters the forecast area
and slowly pushes south. Though diurnal heating will have come to an
end by then, the presence of a southwesterly low level jet
(increasing from 25 kts to nearly 40 kts this evening) immediately
ahead of the front and continued advection of warm and moist air
will allow for SBCAPE values to range from 1000-1500 J/kg across the
northern part of the state. The strengthening of the LLJ will also
contribute to enhanced shear ahead of the front, with effective
shear increasing to 35-45 kts while 0-1 km level helicity values
climb to between 150-250 m2/s2. Initially, the storm mode within the
strongest forcing ahead of the front is most likely to be a
combination of discrete cells and short bowing segments. A look at
forecast soundings shows more straight hodographs further south/east
in the hours after midnight, and thus storms are anticipated to
develop upscale into more of a linear convective mode at that time.

The SPC has maintained a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for severe
weather overnight through early Thursday morning, with all modes of
severe weather possible. The most widespread, consistent threat
through the period will be damaging wind gusts. A few tornadoes will
also be possible, most likely in the north/west portions of Georgia
tonight when a discrete storm mode is favored. The tornado threat
will begin to diminish during the early morning after storms begin
to congeal into more of a line, though they could still occur where
notches and breaks are able to occur in the line. With the high
shear and strong helicity, a strong tornado cannot be ruled out.
Hail up to the size of a quarter will also be possible, but will be
a lesser threat than damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.

After sunrise on Sunday into the afternoon, there is a Marginal Risk
(level 1 of 5) for severe weather in central Georgia where SBCAPE
values between 1000-1500 J/kg will be possible once again. By this
time, shear and helicity will be steadily diminishing. Still a few
storms ahead of the front will be capable of becoming strong to
severe, capable of producing strong gusts. A brief tornado also
cannot be ruled out where conditions align.

Flooding Potential:

A Flood Watch is in effect for portions of north and west Georgia
through 8 AM Thursday morning. This watch has been expanded to the
south/west to include the Columbus metro area in the latest forecast
update. With the aforementioned PWAT values, stronger storms that
occur will have highly efficient rainfall rates. Furthermore, the
nature of the mid level shortwave disturbances overrunning the
front will favor a training motion of storms moving from WSW to
ENE. Several strong storms with high rainfall rates training over
a common location could pose a greater threat for flooding where
it occurs. A widespread 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain is forecast
within the watch, with localized amounts of 4 inches or more
possible (especially where training occurs) This will lead to the
potential for flooding in urban areas and areas with poor
drainage, as well as creeks and streams prone to flash flooding.
It may sound counter-intuitive, but with ongoing drought
conditions, it should be noted that the very dry/hard grounds can
lead to more rapid runoff and a higher flash flood threat than
otherwise soft/moist soils.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Friday morning through next Tuesday)
Issued at 421 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

Transient surface high pressure in the wake of Thursday's front will
bring a return to dry and cooler conditions on Friday with the
stationary surface boundary displaced near the Gulf coast. Dry
weather should be short-lived as a cutoff low ejects eastward out of
the desert Southwest on Saturday. A return to southwest flow and
overrunning moisture will thus bring at least a chance for showers
Saturday before more widespread rainfall on Sunday as this southern
stream wave lifts northeastward into the area.

A follow up cold front then looks to push into the area on Monday as
a trough swings southeastward. While exact timing of this frontal
passage remains uncertain, at this point a drying trend looks to
take hold in the wake of the front from Monday into Tuesday. A
renewed push of post-frontal cooler temperatures looks to bring a
couple of crisp mornings Tuesday/Wednesday before a warming trend
returns.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 729 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

Waves of SCT -SHRA/TSRA expected from now until at least 10z, at
which point a front will begin to congeal activity into a semi
organized line and move it southward. MVFR to IFR cigs/vsbys and
VRB gusts can be expected with tsra and heavier shra. SSW winds
will eventually shift to the W then WNW following FROPA. Between
09-14z cigs may potentially dip into LIFR territory, before
gradually improving and scattering out from 16z onward. Winds will
pick up with gusts 18-21kts possible after 16z.

//ATL Confidence...00Z Update...

Medium confidence on all elements.

07

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          63  77  51  73 /  90  70   0   0
Atlanta         63  74  53  73 / 100  70   0   0
Blairsville     56  68  42  69 /  90  30   0   0
Cartersville    58  73  47  74 / 100  50   0   0
Columbus        66  80  55  76 /  90  90   0   0
Gainesville     63  74  50  71 / 100  60   0   0
Macon           65  79  55  75 /  80  90   0   0
Rome            57  73  46  74 / 100  40   0   0
Peachtree City  63  76  50  74 / 100  80   0   0
Vidalia         68  81  60  78 /  40  90   0   0

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT Thursday for GAZ001>009-011>016-
019>025-030>035-041>048-052>059-066>071-078-079-089>091-102-103.

&&

SHORT TERM...King
LONG TERM....RW
AVIATION...07

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
852 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-080100-
Baldwin-Banks-Barrow-Bartow-Bibb-Bleckley-Butts-Carroll-Catoosa-
Chattahoochee-Chattooga-Cherokee-Clarke-Clayton-Cobb-Coweta-
Crawford-Crisp-Dade-Dawson-DeKalb-Dodge-Dooly-Douglas-Emanuel-
Fannin-Fayette-Floyd-Forsyth-Gilmer-Glascock-Gordon-Greene-
Gwinnett-Hall-Hancock-Haralson-Harris-Heard-Henry-Houston-Jackson-
Jasper-Jefferson-Johnson-Jones-Lamar-Laurens-Lumpkin-Macon-
Madison-Marion-Meriwether-Monroe-Montgomery-Morgan-Murray-
Muscogee-Newton-North Fulton-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Paulding-Peach-
Pickens-Pike-Polk-Pulaski-Putnam-Rockdale-Schley-South Fulton-
Spalding-Stewart-Sumter-Talbot-Taliaferro-Taylor-Telfair-Toombs-
Towns-Treutlen-Troup-Twiggs-Union-Upson-Walker-Walton-Warren-
Washington-Webster-Wheeler-White-Whitfield-Wilcox-Wilkes-
Wilkinson-
852 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

.DAY ONE...Tonight...

A Tornado Watch is in effect for portions of north and central
Georgia until 2 am.

Thunderstorm development will continue to increase across north
Georgia extending farther southward overnight. Some of these
thunderstorms may become severe with the potential for damaging
wind gusts, a few tornadoes, and isolated hail up to quarter size.

A Flood Watch remains in effect for much of north Georgia and
parts of central Georgia through Thursday morning as locally heavy
rainfall could lead to flash flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday...

Strong to isolated severe thunderstorms capable of strong wind
gusts and perhaps a brief will be possible in parts of central
Georgia Thursday morning through midday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not requested but spotters are encouraged
to submit reports of severe weather through the web by going to
weather.gov/atlanta.  Please relay any information about observed
severe weather to the NWS.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
943 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

GAZ089-090-102-070215-
Chattahoochee GA-Stewart GA-Muscogee GA-
943 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Muscogee, southwestern Chattahoochee and western Stewart Counties
through 1015 PM EDT...

At 943 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Hatchechubbe, or 9
miles east of Hurtsboro, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
         ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Cusseta, Fort Benning/Lawson Army Air Fld, Charles, Sand Hill, Battle
Park, Omaha, Sanford, Custer Road Terrace, Jamestown/South Fort
Benning, Benning Hills, Benning Park, Carter Acres, Louvale, and
Providence Canyon State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for west central
Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3198 8496 3199 8506 3209 8504 3213 8506
      3218 8501 3220 8496 3222 8498 3222 8493
      3225 8492 3226 8489 3230 8494 3233 8501
      3238 8497 3238 8499 3241 8498 3242 8496
      3245 8499 3243 8477 3215 8477 3195 8496
TIME...MOT...LOC 0143Z 284DEG 33KT 3226 8526

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1016 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1000 PM     Rain             1 S Cross Roads         34.00N 84.75W
05/06/2026  M0.77 Inch       Paulding           GA   CO-OP Observer

            Latest 3-hour total.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1020 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

GAZ090>093-102>104-070245-
Macon GA-Schley GA-Chattahoochee GA-Stewart GA-Sumter GA-Marion GA-
Webster GA-
1020 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Macon,
southern Marion, southeastern Chattahoochee, northern Stewart,
central Webster, Schley and northwestern Sumter Counties through 1045
PM EDT...

At 1020 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Louvale, or 7 miles
south of Cusseta, moving east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
         ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Americus, Buena Vista, Ellaville, Preston, Cusseta, Richland, Plains,
Andersonville, Putnam, Seminole, Murrays Crossroads, La Crosse,
Brooklyn, Renfroe, Manta, Zellobee, Friendship, Doyle,
Jamestown/South Fort Benning, and Bumphead.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for west central
Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3208 8498 3222 8488 3235 8491 3238 8432
      3237 8425 3238 8425 3220 8410 3202 8428
TIME...MOT...LOC 0220Z 266DEG 48KT 3220 8478

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1047 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

GAZ053>057-070315-
Fayette GA-Clayton GA-Coweta GA-Spalding GA-Henry GA-
1047 PM EDT Wed May 6 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Spalding, Fayette, southwestern Henry, eastern Coweta and central
Clayton Counties through 1115 PM EDT...

At 1046 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Sharpsburg, or
near Newnan, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
         ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Newnan, Griffin, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Peachtree City,
Riverdale, Hampton, Tyrone, Lovejoy, Senoia, Brooks, Sharpsburg,
Turin, Woolsey, Sunny Side, East Newnan, Starrs Mill, Inman,
Cannongate, and Jw Smith Reservoir.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for north central
and west central Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3325 8474 3345 8479 3356 8438 3342 8423
      3325 8425
TIME...MOT...LOC 0246Z 260DEG 41KT 3336 8467

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Culver

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
106 AM EDT Thu May 7 2026

GAZ078-079-089-070530-
Harris GA-Talbot GA-Muscogee GA-
106 AM EDT Thu May 7 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Muscogee,
southwestern Talbot and southern Harris Counties through 130 AM
EDT...

At 105 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Smiths Station,
Alabama, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, frequent cloud to ground lightning and
         heavy rain.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
         street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.

Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Waverly Hall, Bibb City, Upatoi, Goat Rock Lake, Ellerslie,
Saint Marys Hills, Edgewood, Flat Rock, Highland Park, Laurel Hills,
Green Island Hills, Vista Terrace, Cataula, Columbus Metropolitan
Airport, Baughville, Rose Hill, Box Springs, Kenwood, and Midland.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for west central
Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3270 8497 3277 8475 3267 8462 3253 8465
      3251 8471 3248 8474 3246 8478 3245 8500
      3252 8500 3258 8507 3262 8509 3263 8508
      3264 8511
TIME...MOT...LOC 0505Z 251DEG 44KT 3254 8512

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
130 AM EDT Thu May 7 2026

GAZ078-079-089>091-070600-
Chattahoochee GA-Harris GA-Marion GA-Talbot GA-Muscogee GA-
130 AM EDT Thu May 7 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Marion,
northeastern Muscogee, northeastern Chattahoochee, southern Talbot
and southeastern Harris Counties through 200 AM EDT...

At 130 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Upatoi, or 14 miles
northeast of Columbus, moving east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, heavy rain, pea sized hail and frequent
         cloud to ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Talbotton, Waverly Hall, Junction City, Geneva, Upatoi, Ellerslie,
Juniper, Baldwinville, Baughville, Olive Branch, Po Biddy Crossroads,
Box Springs, Midland, and Marion Estates.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for west central
Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3264 8487 3274 8455 3268 8437 3261 8440
      3261 8441 3260 8441 3256 8442 3256 8445
      3254 8445 3253 8444 3250 8445 3246 8486
TIME...MOT...LOC 0530Z 254DEG 47KT 3257 8477

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH