Severe Thunderstorm Warning 173, NWS Atlanta, GA

876 
WWUS52 KFFC 031909
SVSFFC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
309 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

GAC077-113-121-031919-
/O.EXP.KFFC.SV.W.0173.000000T0000Z-260703T1915Z/
Fayette GA-Coweta GA-Fulton GA-
309 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE...
NORTHEASTERN COWETA AND SOUTHWESTERN FULTON COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT
315 PM EDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However, gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3359 8463 3348 8452 3335 8465 3342 8479
      3354 8482
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 049DEG 8KT 3347 8466 

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
229 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Dangerous heat to persist through Independence Day. Heat index
   values between 102-109 degrees with overnight heat index values
   remaining close to or above 80 degrees are expected.

 - Elevated temperatures and the chance for thunderstorms each
   afternoon will continue from Sunday through much of next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Saturday)
Issued at 224 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Scattered thunderstorms have begun to develop across the northern
two-thirds of the forecast area, with activity expected to continue
into the evening. The pattern remains largely unchanged, with an
unseasonably warm and humid airmass supporting instability that
exceeds that of a typical summer day (surface-based CAPE of
approximately 4300 J/kg on yesterday's 00Z sounding, which exceeds
the 90th percentile climatologically). Notably, mixed-layer CAPE is
in the slightly more modest 2000-2500 J/kg range, and model sounding
profiles depict more substantial dry air in the mid-levels than on
previous days. This entrainment will help to tamp down on the
theoretical ceiling of our severe potential/hazards, even so, a well-
deserved Marginal (level 1 out of 5) Risk is in place for the
northern half of the forecast area this afternoon. Even in the
absence of meaningful kinematics, any storms that form today will
have strong upward pulses, enough to pack a punch as they collapse.
Damaging wind gusts (generally up to 60 mph) is possible in the
strongest storms of the day. Convective coverage will be patchy,
providing little relief from lingering oppressive heat for most.
Highs this afternoon are expected to be in the mid-to-upper 90s for
all but far northeast Georgia, which will remain in the 80s. Heat
index values will be as high as 102-109 degrees, and a Heat Advisory
remains in effect through tomorrow evening for dangerous heat that
will continue even overnight.

Independence Day is poised be unseasonably hot and mostly dry, as
the ridging that has supported our multi-day heat wave begins to
break down. Isolated thunderstorms are possible -- primarily across
far northern and western Georgia along the Alabama state line -- as
moisture begins to intrude upon the deteriorating heat dome, but
coverage yet again is unlikely to provide much (if any) relief from
the lingering heat. Confidence in potentially dangerous heat remains
high. Highs areawide will be in the mid-to-upper 90s, with heat
index values in the triple digits for all but the terrain of far
northeast Georgia. Outdoor activities are a hallmark of the holiday
weekend, and with continued oppressive heat, precautions must be
taken to lessen likelihood of heated-related illnesses. Ensure that
you are taking frequent hydration breaks (in the shade if at all
possible), wearing loose, light-colored clothing, and checking in on
your people. Apparent/"feels like" temperatures will cross the 90
degree mark by 10AM tomorrow, and will likely not cross below that
threshold until 11PM, meaning it may still be uncomfortably hot even
after the sun goes down.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Sunday morning through next Thursday)
Issued at 224 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Nothing out of the norm weather wise expected for the long term. A
midlevel trough will swing through the Ohio/TN Valley between Sunday
and Monday, likely increasing rain/thunder chances across parts of
North GA during the afternoon. Following the passage of this
feature, weak mid-level ridging and surface high pressure will
remain in place over the western Atlantic extending back into parts
of the Southeast through most of next week. This will keep a steady
stream of moisture flow into the region driving daily afternoon rain
and thunder chances each day. Additionally, temperatures will remain
quite warm with daily forecast highs in the upper 80s to 90s and
forecast lows in the 70s (5-10 deg cooler in the mountains). Heat
indices will follow suit with values expected to hover in the upper
90s to low 100s over the next 5-7 days.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 130 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

VFR conds to continue thru the TAF pd. FEW-SCT aftn cu at 4-7kft
exp from 15-00Z today and tmrw, with 10-20kft cigs overnight.
Isold to sct TSRA psbl from 18-22Z today, and a lower chc from
17-22Z tmrw. Heaviest pcpn may be accompanied by MVFR vsbys. Winds
will be light (6kts or less) thru the pd, generally favoring the
W side at metro TAF sites.

//ATL Confidence...18Z Update...
Medium confidence afternoon thunderstorm chances.
High confidence all other elements.

96

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          74  98  75  97 /   0  10   0  30
Atlanta         77  97  77  95 /   0  10  10  40
Blairsville     70  90  70  88 /   0  20  10  50
Cartersville    74  96  75  95 /  10  20  10  50
Columbus        76  97  76  95 /   0  10  20  30
Gainesville     75  97  75  96 /   0  10  10  40
Macon           75  97  76  96 /   0  10  10  30
Rome            74  96  74  95 /  10  20  20  60
Peachtree City  74  95  74  94 /  10  10  10  30
Vidalia         73  99  76  99 /   0  10   0  30

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Saturday for GAZ001>007-011>014-
019>025-027-030>039-041>062.

&&

SHORT TERM...96
LONG TERM....07
AVIATION...96

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
230 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-041830-
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-
230 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight...

A Heat Advisory remains in effect through Saturday, with heat
index values forecast to reach as high as 109 degrees in the
afternoon and near 80 during the overnight period.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected through early
evening mainly along and north of Interstate 20 and Interstate 85.
Several storms may become strong to severe, capable of producing
damaging wind gusts, quarter size hail and frequent lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday...

Hot conditions persist, with heat index values forecast to be in
excess of 105 in portions of North Georgia and 100 across central
GA over the next five days.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible each afternoon
through the middle of next week.

.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.

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
239 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0210 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SE Sandy Springs      33.92N 84.36W
07/03/2026                   Fulton             GA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            At least one tree down at the intersection
            of Barfield Road and Hammond Drive
            Northeast.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
241 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0210 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 E Sandy Springs       33.93N 84.35W
07/03/2026                   Fulton             GA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            At least one tree down at the intersection
            of Crestline Parkway and Peachtree Dunwoody
            Road Northeast.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
242 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0210 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NE Sandy Springs      33.94N 84.37W
07/03/2026                   Fulton             GA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            At least one tree down at the intersection
            of Glenlake Parkway Northeast and Glenridge
            Drive.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
243 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

GAZ003>005-031915-
Whitfield GA-Catoosa GA-Murray GA-
243 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Catoosa,
west central Murray and Whitfield Counties through 315 PM EDT...

At 243 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Dalton. This storm was
nearly stationary.

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...
Dalton, Ringgold, Varnell, Tunnel Hill, Mill Creek, Dawnville, and
Rocky Face.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3489 8484 3469 8487 3465 8505 3472 8505
      3472 8508 3482 8512 3497 8511
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 104DEG 2KT 3478 8495

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

Culver

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
244 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

GAZ048-031915-
Newton GA-
244 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Newton
County through 315 PM EDT...

At 244 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Starrsville, or near
Covington, moving west at 10 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...
Covington, Oxford, Porterdale, Mansfield, Almon, Starrsville, Brick
Store, and Rocky Plains.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3362 8372 3350 8371 3346 8392 3364 8394
TIME...MOT...LOC 1844Z 088DEG 8KT 3355 8377

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

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
245 PM EDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0232 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Jasper                  34.47N 84.43W
07/03/2026  M34 MPH          Pickens            GA   Emergency Mngr

            Measured gust of 34MPH from EMA Weather
            Station.

&&