Severe Thunderstorm Warning 342, NWS Atlanta, GA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
228 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

  - Unseasonably warm conditions will continue into the beginning
    of the work week. Heat index values will peak in the upper 90s
    to mid 100s Today and Sunday.

  - Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe weather is in effect
    this afternoon and evening. Primary threat will be a few
    damaging wind gusts.

  - Rain chances will peak on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The
    potential for severe weather will need to be monitored.

  - More seasonable temperatures are expected starting midweek.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Sunday)
Issued at 223 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

Temperatures are on the rise this afternoon across north and central
Georgia despite some lingering morning cloud cover. Temperatures in
the mid to upper 80s should top out by the late afternoon and early
evening in the low to mid 90s. The humidity is still around as well,
which means heat index values into the lower triple digits can be
expected into the evening. Beyond the heat and humidity, expected
isolated to scattered (20-40% chances) afternoon and evening
thunderstorms across both north and central Georgia. A bit more
confidence in actually seeing storms today - 12Z sounding comparison
shows the full profile has a bit more moisture in it compared to
yesterday, so updrafts may experience less dry air entrainment
issues. Forecast SBCAPE values are in the 2000-3000 J/kg range.
Shear remains very light as we sit between the fading ridge to the
west and the cut-off low moving over the Florida peninsula.
Still, a severe threat remains thanks to DCAPE values that are
forecast to be near 1000 J/kg. Rain laden air parcels from
stronger storms crashing downward may provide for some isolated
damaging wind gusts into the evening. SPC maintains a level 1 out
of 5 (Marginal) risk for portions of the area.

The upper level low to the south continues to slowly slide to the
west into the Gulf tomorrow. The CWA remains caught between various
mid to upper level features, but some mid to upper level ridging may
build in aloft tomorrow showing as an elevated warm nose on model
soundings. This may act to limit convection when compared to today,
and, outside the mountains, chances of seeing a thunderstorm
tomorrow are lower (10-20% in most areas). A similar risk of a
severe wind gust will exist over northern Georgia. Afternoon highs
will be in the lower 90s. Humidity remains elevated with moist
surface airmass in place, so heat indices will once again approach
the triple digits.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday morning through next Friday)
Issued at 223 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

The large-scale mid-/upper-level pattern will be characterized by a
ridge to the west over the Plains, placing Georgia within northwest
flow starting on Tuesday. This pattern can support mesoscale
convective systems (MCSs) along the northern periphery of the ridge
that dive southward across the Ohio/Tennessee River Valleys. If and
where MCSs will develop and track (as well as where resulting
outflow boundaries stall and spark convection the following day)
generally have very low predictability more than 24 hours out, so
PoPs and severe weather potential on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
will bear watching. FWIW, the AI-NWP-based forecasts and GEFS
machine learning forecasts from NCAR suggest that Marginal Risks
(level 1 out of 5) may be needed on Monday and possibly Tuesday,
which would not be surprising given the synoptic setup.

Ensemble guidance signals a cold air damming ("wedge") setup across
north and central Georgia Wednesday night through Friday night. This
is reflected in our forecasted high temperatures (70s to 80s) and
low temperatures (mid-50s to mid-60s). While still seasonable
temperatures for this time of year, it will be noticeably cooler
than conditions this weekend. Additionally, moisture will decrease
during this time, as the drier wedge airmass and northerly low-/mid-
level winds prevail. Still, enough moisture will remain to support a
slight chance for showers on Thursday and Friday, although the vast
majority of the forecast area looks to stay dry. It may not be true
autumnal weather, but given that the first day of astronomical fall
is Tuesday, I will take it a slight cooldown!

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 131 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

VFR to start TAF period. Primary impact this afternoon and evening
will be TSRA chances across all sites through at least 02Z. Winds
will remain to the east side in metro including KATL but light at
3-7 kts. Some impacts from IFR cigs possible at metro sites, AHN,
and MCN during early morning hours. If confidence increases in
these, TEMPO with BKN IFR may be introduced in future TAF
issuances.

//ATL Confidence...18Z Update...

Medium overnight cigs, high all others.

Lusk

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          70  90  69  92 /  50  20  10  20
Atlanta         72  91  72  92 /  50  20  10  20
Blairsville     64  86  64  86 /  20  60  20  60
Cartersville    70  93  70  94 /  20  20  10  30
Columbus        72  93  72  94 /  30  20  20  20
Gainesville     70  89  70  91 /  40  30  20  40
Macon           71  92  71  93 /  40  20  20  10
Rome            69  94  69  94 /  10  20  10  30
Peachtree City  70  92  70  93 /  50  20  10  20
Vidalia         72  91  72  92 /  30  20  10  20

&&

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

SHORT TERM...Lusk
LONG TERM....Martin
AVIATION...Lusk

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
205 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-201815-
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-
205 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

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

Scattered thunderstorms can be expected across north and central
Georgia this afternoon and evening. The primary threats from any
severe storms will be damaging winds, frequent lightning, and
locally heavy rainfall.

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

Increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms can be expected
into the beginning of next week. Mainly afternoon and evening
showers and thunderstorms expected with the primary threat being
damaging winds, 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 while following all local, state, and
CDC guidelines.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
417 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

GAZ091-102-103-192045-
Stewart GA-Marion GA-Webster GA-
417 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Marion,
northeastern Stewart and northwestern Webster Counties through 445 PM
EDT...

At 417 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Seminole, or 8 miles
southwest of Buena Vista, moving southwest at 15 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 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...
Richland, Seminole, and Brooklyn.

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 3217 8475 3223 8468 3223 8466 3225 8466
      3229 8462 3224 8451 3208 8461 3208 8473
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 035DEG 12KT 3223 8461

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
427 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

GAZ006-008-015-192100-
Union GA-Lumpkin GA-Fannin GA-
427 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central
Lumpkin, southwestern Union and southeastern Fannin Counties through
500 PM EDT...

At 427 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Gaddistown, or 12 miles
southwest of Blairsville, moving south at 10 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...
Suches, Margret, Camp Merrill, Stover Creek Shelter, Hawk Mountain
Shelter, Gaddistown, and Gooch Mountain Shelter.

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 3477 8400 3458 8404 3465 8421 3467 8424
      3481 8413
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 021DEG 8KT 3472 8408

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
432 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

GAZ005-006-192100-
Murray GA-Fannin GA-
432 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Murray
and northwestern Fannin Counties through 500 PM EDT...

At 432 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Crandall, or 8 miles
northeast of Chatsworth, moving south 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...
Chatsworth, Eton, Crandall, Conasauga Lake, Tennga, Cisco, Fort
Mountain State Park, and Cohutta Wilderness.

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 3485 8461 3485 8462 3484 8461 3479 8462
      3478 8464 3476 8464 3473 8466 3481 8481
      3499 8475 3499 8458
TIME...MOT...LOC 2032Z 018DEG 11KT 3489 8470

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
434 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

GAZ009-016-192100-
Towns GA-White GA-
434 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central Towns
and northern White Counties through 500 PM EDT...

At 433 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Mountain Scene, or 9
miles southeast of Hiawassee, moving south at 10 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...
Helen, Unicoi State Park, Robertstown, Anna Ruby Falls, Smithgall
Woods Conservation Are, Mountain Scene, and Sautee.

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 3488 8366 3483 8366 3482 8365 3480 8368
      3476 8363 3475 8363 3473 8362 3472 8364
      3467 8364 3467 8365 3469 8383 3489 8372
TIME...MOT...LOC 2033Z 012DEG 9KT 3483 8369

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
438 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

GAZ102-192100-
Stewart GA-
438 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Stewart
County through 500 PM EDT...

At 436 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Louvale, or 9 miles
southwest of Cusseta, moving southwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 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...
Lumpkin, Charles, 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. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.

&&

LAT...LON 3209 8500 3223 8488 3223 8485 3220 8476
      3201 8481 3200 8496
TIME...MOT...LOC 2036Z 037DEG 17KT 3219 8486

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
440 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

GAZ080>082-192115-
Taylor GA-Bibb GA-Crawford GA-
440 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Bibb, central
Crawford and northeastern Taylor Counties through 515 PM EDT...

At 440 PM EDT, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Lake Tobesofkee to near Horns. These storms were
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...
Roberta, Reynolds, Knoxville, Lizella, Lake Tobesofkee, Lee Pope,
Sandy Point, and Horns.

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 3258 8416 3269 8410 3295 8372 3275 8377
      3251 8408 3251 8409
TIME...MOT...LOC 2040Z 221DEG 1KT 3283 8381 3263 8406

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