Severe Thunderstorm Warning 321, NWS Atlanta, GA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
425 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Well above normal temperatures this weekend with heat index
   values in the triple digits. A Heat Advisory is in effect
   across most of north and central Georgia through Sunday
   evening.

 - Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms will be around
   this weekend. A few storms may be severe.

 - Cooler and drier weather moves in early next week, with
   temperatures warming back to above normal by mid-week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Sunday)
Issued at 359 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

Heat Concerns Continue:

Current satellite loop shows scattered clouds developing across the
area with some showers and thunderstorms across North and Central GA.
Very warm temps continue across the area with highs expected in the
middle to upper 90s through the short term. With dewpoints in the
70s we can expect to see Heat Index values in the 103 to 109 deg
range Today and Sunday. Have extended the heat advisory to include
Sunday which should be our last day of these extreme temps (at least
through the next 7 days).

Severe Thunderstorms Possible This Weekend:

The Bermuda ridge that kept us mostly dry for most of this past week
is finally weakening as the next frontal boundary nears the area from
the NE. This weakening ridge is allowing typical scattered
summertime pop-up showers and storms to develop across central GA,
where moisture has pooled and subsidence from the fleeting ridge is
lower. The second area for storms is across north/northeast GA
associated with increased moisture ahead of the approaching cold
front which is pushing SW down the eastern seaboard and should move
into NE GA between 12z-18z Sun. Scattered strong to severe storms
are possible, with the primary threat being damaging wind gusts, and
frequent lightning strikes. SPC has the aforementioned corridor of
north/northeast GA in a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe
weather with a Severe Thunderstorm watch just N and E of our area
across portions of the Carolinas.

On Sunday, convective activity will ramp up even more, as a
shortwave and associated frontal boundary start to move across the
area. This forcing, combined with the warm and humid airmass in
place out ahead of it, will support scattered to numerous
afternoon showers and storms, with generally higher coverage
across central GA. Several storms may be strong to severe, with
damaging wind gusts, and frequent lightning strikes as the primary
threats. The greatest risk for severe storms will be across portions
of east and Central GA, where SPC has a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5)
for severe weather. With the potential for repeated rounds of storms
and efficient rainfall rates, we'll also have to watch out for
localized flash flooding, especially in urban and poor-drainage
areas.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday morning through next Friday)
Issued at 359 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

By Monday and the start of the long term, mid-level ridging situated
across the midsection of the country will begin migrating eastward.
Chances for showers and thunderstorms will largely be focused along
the front (which may slow down or speed up as we approach the short
term), the best of which (60-80%) appear to be across the far
southeastern portion of the forecast area. Sensible effects of the
front will be fairly substantial given the preceding heat, with
highs as much as 8-10 degrees "cooler" (relatively speaking) than
Sunday -- in the lower 80s to lower 90s. Portions of northeast
Georgia at elevation may even remain in the 70s. Expect further fine
tuning of Monday's temperatures as they're directly tied to frontal
progress.

Tuesday and beyond, the core of the aforementioned mid-level ridging
will move overhead, accompanied by high pressure at the surface --
oriented such that we're likely to have an extended period of "cold"
air damming. Heat will begin to build once again, with highs
returning to several degrees above average by mid-to-late week.
Breezy easterly winds should support ample mixing during the
afternoon, which will initially serve to keep heat index values
within a few degrees of air temperatures. Widespread convective
development will be hampered by subsidence, with rain chances
relegated largely to portions of south central Georgia through
Wednesday.

The presiding mid-level ridge will retrograde westward across the
Four Corners region on Thursday, allowing for more substantial
moisture intrusion across the Southeast, and a return to more
uniform afternoon thunderstorm chances areawide.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 113 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

Scattered clouds developing across the area with isolated showers
and thunderstorms expected this afternoon into the evening hours.
Storms should end a few hours after sunset with another round of
storms expected again Sun afternoon/evening. Winds will be mainly
out of the W-NW in the 4-8kt range with VRB gust to 30kt in and
around convective activity. VSBYs will be mainly VFR except MVFR
in and around any thunderstorms.

//ATL Confidence...18Z Update...
Confidence high on all elements.

01

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          73  96  69  86 /  30  40  60  40
Atlanta         75  96  73  86 /  30  20  40  40
Blairsville     67  89  64  80 /  10  20  30  20
Cartersville    73  96  72  88 /  20  10  20  20
Columbus        75  97  74  91 /  10  30  40  30
Gainesville     73  94  70  83 /  20  30  40  40
Macon           74  96  72  87 /  10  50  60  60
Rome            73  96  71  88 /  20  10  20  20
Peachtree City  73  96  72  86 /  20  20  30  40
Vidalia         76  96  72  88 /  10  60  70  80

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Sunday for GAZ001>005-011>013-
019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-089>098-102>113.

&&

SHORT TERM...01
LONG TERM....96
AVIATION...01

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
333 AM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-060745-
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-
333 AM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight...

Heat index values will peak over 100 degrees across the area this
through this evening. Please exercise caution if spending
extended time or doing strenuous activity outdoors.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening.
A few storms may be strong to severe across north GA, capable of
producing damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning, and locally
heavy rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday...

Heat index values will exceed 100 degrees for much of the area
again on Sunday.

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected Sunday afternoon
and evening. Several storms may be strong to severe, capable of
producing damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning, and locally
heavy rainfall.

.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
620 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

GAZ021-032-033-052245-
North Fulton GA-Cobb GA-Cherokee GA-
620 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Cherokee, northeastern Cobb and north central Fulton Counties through
645 PM EDT...

At 619 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Mount Bethel, or near
Mountain Park, moving south at 20 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...
Marietta, Mountain Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Smyrna,
Milton, Kennesaw, Woodstock, Fair Oaks, Mount Bethel, White Water
Park, Sweat Mountain, Birmingham, Sandy Plains, and Dobbins Air
Reserve Base.

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 3417 8443 3419 8426 3411 8426 3411 8425
      3393 8442 3387 8449 3399 8462
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 008DEG 16KT 3401 8440

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
635 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

GAZ032-033-044-045-052315-
North Fulton GA-Cobb GA-DeKalb GA-South Fulton GA-
635 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern DeKalb,
southeastern Cobb and south central Fulton Counties through 715 PM
EDT...

At 635 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Brookhaven, or near
Decatur, moving south at 20 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...
Atlanta, Marietta, Decatur, City of South Fulton, Sandy Springs,
Smyrna, East Point, College Park, Clarkston, Hapeville, Stone
Mountain, Avondale Estates, Pine Lake, Belvedere Park, North Decatur,
North Druid Hills, Midtown, Grant Park-Zoo Atlanta, Candler-Mcafee,
and Druid Hills.

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 3398 8446 3385 8436 3380 8416 3365 8422
      3364 8423 3364 8425 3365 8425 3364 8428
      3365 8440 3365 8460
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 001DEG 16KT 3385 8437

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
638 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

GAZ034-045>048-052315-
Walton GA-Rockdale GA-DeKalb GA-Gwinnett GA-Newton GA-
638 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Rockdale,
southeastern DeKalb, south central Gwinnett, west central Walton and
central Newton Counties through 715 PM EDT...

At 638 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Milstead, or over
Conyers, moving south at 20 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...
Conyers, Covington, Oxford, Lithonia, Porterdale, Walnut Grove,
Lakeview Estates, Georgia International Horse Park, Magnet, Almon,
Milstead, Richardson Park, Arabia Mountain, Big Haynes Creek Park,
and Gum Creek.

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 3380 8409 3378 8384 3351 8384 3355 8406
      3356 8410 3357 8411 3356 8412 3359 8415
TIME...MOT...LOC 2238Z 001DEG 16KT 3369 8399

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
701 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

GAZ062-075-076-052345-
Jefferson GA-Glascock GA-Warren GA-
701 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Warren,
Glascock and north central Jefferson Counties through 745 PM EDT...

At 701 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Reese, or near
Warrenton, moving southeast at 25 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...
Warrenton, Gibson, Stapleton, Mitchell, Jewell, Beall Springs, Reese,
Bastonville, and Mesena.

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 3317 8266 3328 8278 3331 8278 3331 8279
      3333 8280 3335 8280 3347 8260 3341 8255
      3335 8255 3336 8253 3334 8250 3334 8245
      3333 8242 3331 8240 3331 8234 3327 8228
TIME...MOT...LOC 2301Z 315DEG 20KT 3338 8260

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
702 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

GAZ048-052330-
Newton GA-
702 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Newton
County through 730 PM EDT...

At 702 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Starrsville, or 7 miles
south of Covington, moving south at 10 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...
Covington, Porterdale, Newborn, Mansfield, Stewart, Starrsville, 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 3361 8390 3356 8369 3349 8369 3350 8371
      3349 8371 3348 8374 3345 8377 3344 8382
      3342 8383 3341 8385 3339 8383 3337 8386
      3339 8389 3345 8393 3345 8392 3347 8394
TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 008DEG 10KT 3351 8381

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
714 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

GAZ049-059-052345-
Morgan GA-Jasper GA-
714 PM EDT Sat Sep 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Morgan
and Jasper Counties through 745 PM EDT...

At 713 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Farrar, or 11 miles
north of Monticello, moving southwest at 20 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...
Monticello, Newborn, Shady Dale, Calvin, Farrar, Eudora, and Godfrey.

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 3344 8351 3343 8353 3339 8354 3337 8353
      3319 8360 3335 8384 3348 8374 3349 8371
      3350 8371 3348 8369 3349 8367 3351 8369
      3354 8368 3346 8350
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 023DEG 16KT 3346 8364

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