Severe Thunderstorm Warning 279, NWS Atlanta, GA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
226 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Oppressive heat continues through much of the upcoming work
   week. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through Monday evening,
   and additional heat headlines are likely thereafter.

 - A few strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing
   damaging wind gusts up to 60 MPH are possible in North Georgia
   on Monday.

 - Limited thunderstorm chances are expected through mid-week
   before increasing slightly late in the week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Monday)
Issued at 222 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

Summer heat will not relinquish its grip any time soon as a broad
ridge will persist across the southern tier of the US headed into
Monday. Our long-standing Heat Advisory will continue through
tomorrow evening (with extension beyond this time expected with
future forecast updates) as heat index values will easily reach the
105 threshold for the bulk of the area outside of the mountains on
Monday. In fact, Monday looks likely to bring the hottest
temperatures of the week for most areas before the ridge begins to
retreat westward slightly thereafter. As such, more widespread highs
touching the upper 90s (with a couple 100 degree readings possibly
sprinkled in) are expected while soupy 70s dewpoints provide an
environment ripe for heat index values 105-109 by afternoon. As has
been the case the past few days, a few spots could flirt with 110
heat index maximums during the afternoon, but the lack of more
widespread/sustained values will preclude any Extreme Heat Warning
issuance at this juncture.

As far as thunderstorm potential today is concerned, as expected,
north Georgia is largely dry this afternoon as a bit of "drier" air
has settled into that part of the state. Scattered thunderstorms
will continue to be concentrated across eastern and central Georgia
through early evening before dissipating.

On Monday, a convergent boundary/weak front will settle across the
Tennessee Valley into the Appalachians. Coupled with a midlevel
wave/vortmax, this will provide the impetus for thunderstorm
development during the heat of the afternoon. While the bulk of this
activity will likely be north of the area initially, these storms
should propagate into far north Georgia through the afternoon with a
gradual diminishment in coverage farther south toward the I-20
corridor during the evening. The environment will be supportive of
a few instances of strong to locally damaging wind gusts with
this threat highlighted by a Slight Risk from SPC for the far
northern tier and a Marginal Risk farther south to the I-20
corridor.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday morning through next Saturday)
Issued at 222 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

Impactful heat continues areawide through this next work week.
Ridging aloft and surface high pressure will keep daytime
temperatures in the mid to upper 90s for all except the higher
elevations each day. Heat index values are anticipated to be highest
on Tuesday with values ranging 103-109F. Regardless, heat indices
are likely to remain at or above 100F for most places through the
week. Additional heat headlines throughout the week for at least
some portions of the forecast area are likely.

Limited thunderstorm coverage is anticipated both Tuesday and
Wednesday as drier and hotter air stays in place. But from mid-week
onward isolated to scattered thunderstorms return. Thunderstorm
chances and cloud cover may provide some relief from the heat but
daytime temperatures and heat indices will still be quite warm
through the period. Continue to keep the heat in mind, both day and
night, as you plan outdoor work and activities for next week.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 120 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period outside of iso
TSRA possible mainly at MCN/CSG through 22-00Z. Otherwise, winds
will remain NW 5-8 kts through the day and under 5 kts overnight.

//ATL Confidence...18Z Update...
High confidence.

RW

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          75  99  76  97 /   0  10   0   0
Atlanta         77  98  77  95 /   0  10  10  10
Blairsville     70  90  69  87 /   0  30  20   0
Cartersville    75  98  74  95 /   0  10  10  10
Columbus        77  98  77  97 /   0  10  10  10
Gainesville     75  97  75  95 /   0  20  10   0
Macon           75  97  76  97 /  10  10   0  10
Rome            76  97  75  94 /   0  20  20  10
Peachtree City  75  97  75  95 /   0  10  10  10
Vidalia         76  99  78 100 /  10  10   0  10

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Monday for GAZ001>005-011-012-
019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-089>098-102>113.

&&

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

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
231 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-171845-
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-
231 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

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

A Heat Advisory remains in effect for much of north and central
Georgia today. Afternoon "feels like" temperatures will once
again be well into the 100s. Please exercise caution if outdoors
and check on vulnerable neighbors.

Scattered thunderstorms across eastern and central Georgia
through this evening will be capable of gusty winds, frequent
lightning, and heavy rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday...

Hot and humid conditions will persist through much of the week
ahead with heat index values rising into the triple digits. The
current Heat Advisory will remain in effect through 8PM EDT on
Monday.

Scattered thunderstorms in north Georgia Monday afternoon and
evening could become severe, bringing the risk for strong to
damaging wind gusts.

Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible each
afternoon, especially Thursday through Saturday. Locally heavy
rainfall and gusty winds will be primary storm threats.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
138 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

GAZ074-161815-
Washington GA-
138 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Washington County through 215 PM EDT...

At 138 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Tennille, or near
Sandersville. This storm was nearly stationary.

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...
Sandersville, Tennille, Harrison, and Riddleville.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3278 8273 3277 8277 3279 8277 3280 8280
      3281 8280 3281 8281 3291 8288 3305 8273
      3289 8258
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 315DEG 3KT 3292 8277

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