Severe Thunderstorm Warning 301, NWS Atlanta, GA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
221 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Scattered to numerous thunderstorms this afternoon will pose a
   damaging wind gust threat across Central Georgia. Frequent
   lightning and locally heavy rainfall possible with any storms.

 - Warm and humid again today but slightly 'cooler' and more seasonal
   temperatures return this weekend into early next week.

 - Mostly dry this weekend with low daily rain chances returning
   for most by mid-week next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Saturday)
Issued at 220 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

An upper level longwave trough currently extends from the northern
Great Lakes towards the Deep South, and will continue to amplify as
its axis shifts eastward towards the Atlantic coast. A surface front
associated with this trough has entered far northwest Georgia. The
movement of the trough will help advance the frontal boundary south
and east through the afternoon and evening. Areas along and south of
the front will be the focus for thunderstorm activity amid a warm
and moist environment. Temperatures in portions of central and east
Georgia will climb into the into the mid to upper 90s (compared to
low 90s in areas north of I-85) while dewpoints remain in the low
90s. Robust destabilization within this hot and humid airmass
combined with forcing ahead of the front will allow storms to
develop quickly during the remainder of the afternoon. This will
culminate in high-end chance to low-end likely PoPs in areas
generally south/east of Atlanta from 4 PM to 8 PM, with gradually
diminishing chances during the evening with the loss of daytime
heating.

With SBCAPE values between 2500-3500 J/kg, DCAPE values between 800-
1200 J/kg, and precipitable water values of 1.9-2.2 inches, several
storms this afternoon and evening will be capable of becoming
severe. Downburst winds up to 60 mph will be the primary threat with
any severe storms that occur, which will be capable of damaging
trees and powerlines. Storms over the course of the day will also
contain frequent lightning and be highly efficient rainfall
producers given deep moisture. This could lead to isolated flooding
concerns, especially if stronger storms linger over urban or flood-
prone areas.

On Saturday, the trough axis will clear Georgia to the east, pushing
the frontal boundary through the forecast area. Noticeably drier air
will filter in behind this front, lowering dewpoints into the 60s
across the majority of the area. Though highs will still rise into
the low 90s, it will feel less oppressive given these dewpoints. An
isolated shower or thunderstorm cannot be ruled out in east-central
Georgia closest to the front on Saturday afternoon, while clear
conditions are forecast elsewhere across the forecast area.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Sunday morning through next Thursday)
Issued at 220 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

By the end of the weekend, temps will have fallen into the upper
80s and low 90s with RH values in the afternoon will drop into the
mid to low 40s bringing heat index values down and making it feel
very dry for this time of year. A welcome relief from the hot an
humid weather that had seem to be stuck over GA for the past
month.

With this dry airmass behind the front, we'll also get a break from
thunderstorms during the afternoon as well until Wednesday when
winds become more southerly and we start to pull moisture back in
from the Gulf. This weekend and early next week will be a great
opportunity to be outside without hating it.

After Wednesday, the upper level flow becomes more zonal and we'll
start to see a return to the diurnal pattern that we are used to.
With that pattern, we are also expecting a slow return of triple
digit heat indices for the second half of the work week.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 143 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Isolated SHRA/TSRA has begun to develop in portions of central and
east GA, including near MCN, and will increase in coverage by 20Z
and into the evening. A PROB30 for TSRA is being carried from
20-00Z at ATL when storms will be most likely. VFR conditions are
ongoing underneath a cu field between 035-050. Aside from gusty
outflow winds from TSRA, prevailing winds will be W at 5-10 kts
through the afternoon, diminishing to 5 kts or less overnight.
Winds will shift to NW at 5-10 kts during the daytime on Saturday.
Low clouds will be possible in the early morning in portions of
east Georgia on Saturday, with IFR ceilings most likely from
10-13Z at AHN. FEW-SCT MVFR clouds will be possible as far east as
PDK in the early morning.

//ATL Confidence...18Z Update...
Medium confidence on early morning low clouds.
High confidence on all other elements.

King

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          70  91  69  92 /  40   0   0   0
Atlanta         72  92  72  92 /  20   0   0  10
Blairsville     65  84  62  83 /  10   0   0   0
Cartersville    70  92  69  92 /  10   0   0   0
Columbus        73  94  72  95 /  50   0   0   0
Gainesville     70  90  69  90 /  10   0   0   0
Macon           72  93  71  94 /  60  10  10   0
Rome            69  92  69  91 /   0   0   0  10
Peachtree City  71  92  70  92 /  30   0   0  10
Vidalia         72  93  72  95 /  50  20  10   0

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

SHORT TERM...King
LONG TERM....Vaughn
AVIATION...King

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
154 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-221800-
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-
154 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

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

Scattered thunderstorms are expected across Central and Eastern
Georgia this afternoon and evening. A few storms could be strong
to severe with strong to damaging winds, frequent lightning, and
locally heavy rainfall.

Hot and humid conditions continue across much of the area, with
heat index values rising into the triple digits this afternoon.

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

Isolated to scattered afternoon thunderstorms will return on
Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
205 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

GAZ072-073-083-084-211830-
Wilkinson GA-Baldwin GA-Jones GA-Twiggs GA-
205 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Wilkinson, southwestern Baldwin, north central Twiggs and
southeastern Jones Counties through 230 PM EDT...

At 205 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Clinton, or over Gray,
moving southeast at 5 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, up to penny sized hail, 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...
Macon, Gray, Gordon, Ivey, Postell, James, Mountain Springs,
Griswoldville, Greenberry Crossroads, and Clinton.

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 3282 8346 3282 8349 3285 8351 3284 8352
      3295 8367 3307 8352 3295 8330 3279 8330
TIME...MOT...LOC 1805Z 316DEG 6KT 3296 8354

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
214 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

GAZ104-211845-
Sumter GA-
214 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Sumter
County through 245 PM EDT...

At 214 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Plains, or 8 miles west
of Americus, moving southeast at 5 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, Plains, Sumter, Huntington, Maddox, and Croxton Crossroads.

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 3190 8437 3192 8438 3195 8443 3197 8445
      3204 8444 3204 8443 3208 8443 3215 8434
      3200 8412 3191 8424 3192 8434 3187 8434
TIME...MOT...LOC 1814Z 316DEG 6KT 3204 8436

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
215 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

GAZ102-211845-
Stewart GA-
215 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Stewart
County through 245 PM EDT...

At 215 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Louvale, or 8 miles
south of Cusseta, moving southeast at 5 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...
Lumpkin, Richland, Charles, Brooklyn, Westville, and Louvale.

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 3220 8488 3223 8483 3223 8482 3222 8481
      3222 8480 3223 8480 3223 8470 3217 8464
      3215 8465 3215 8464 3210 8464 3202 8482
TIME...MOT...LOC 1815Z 316DEG 6KT 3218 8478

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
215 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

GAZ091-103-211845-
Marion GA-Webster GA-
215 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Marion
and northern Webster Counties through 245 PM EDT...

At 215 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Draneville, or near
Buena Vista, moving southeast at 5 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...
Buena Vista, Preston, Seminole, Church Hill, and Draneville.

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 3218 8464 3218 8463 3219 8464 3222 8464
      3222 8465 3223 8465 3232 8451 3218 8442
      3217 8443 3216 8443 3205 8455
TIME...MOT...LOC 1815Z 316DEG 6KT 3223 8454

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
228 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

GAZ082-211900-
Bibb GA-
228 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Bibb County
through 300 PM EDT...

At 228 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Lizella, or 8 miles
southwest of Macon, moving southeast at 5 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...
Macon, Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Lizella, Lake Tobesofkee,
Skipperton, and Rutland.

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 3268 8367 3269 8370 3269 8374 3272 8376
      3273 8381 3278 8385 3280 8386 3288 8375
      3276 8355 3274 8358 3274 8360 3270 8360
      3267 8363
TIME...MOT...LOC 1828Z 316DEG 6KT 3277 8377

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
240 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

GAZ109-211915-
Dodge GA-
240 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

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

At 240 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Eastman, moving
southeast at 15 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...
Eastman, Chauncey, Union, Jay Bird Springs, Godwinsville, and Five
Points.

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 3198 8317 3215 8331 3229 8315 3220 8302
      3215 8299 3216 8297 3216 8296 3215 8295
TIME...MOT...LOC 1840Z 315DEG 11KT 3218 8318

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