Special Weather Statement, NWS Atlanta, GA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
214 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered showers and strong to severe storms may develop this
  afternoon through early evening. The main threats with any
  storms will be gusty winds and hail.

- Warmer temperatures the next few days with highs in the upper
  80s to low 90s.

- Increased rain chances return from Wednesday into next weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Monday)
Issued at 135 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

Strong to Severe Storms Through the Evening:

A potentially active afternoon and evening is on tap across north
and central Georgia as a warm, humid, and unstable airmass
develops over the region. As of this writing, cumulus fields have
already started to build along boundaries of low-level
convergence and temperature gradients. These will initially be
fair weather clouds as the atmosphere remains capped, but that
will change in the next hour or two as heating/mixing peaks. Based
on the latest soundings and observations, CAPE values will peak
at over 2000 J/kg across portions of the area, with DCAPE values
of around or above 1000 J/kg, and mid-level lapse rates near 7
degC/km. Wind shear is very weak to non-existent, so storms will
be pulse-y and rather short-lived, but given the strong
instability some storms may become severe and capable of producing
damaging wind gusts, up to quarter size hail, and frequent
lightning. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible,
especially with how slow storms may be moving (south to north at
around 10 mph). With no strong source of forcing, coverage of
storms will be scattered at most, with the highest chances being
along the sea-breeze in east-central GA. Still, storms could be a
threat for any portion of our area given the natural diurnal
boundaries as well as outflow boundaries from collapsing
showers/storms. After sunset convection will gradually taper off
with the loss of daytime heating. Before that, high temperatures
will peak in the upper 80s to low 90s across much of the area.

Warm and Dry on Monday:

Tonight into Monday, a drier airmass will spread into the region
from over the Atlantic, plummeting PWAT values to under 1" during
the day (we're at around 1.5" today). This will prevent any threat
for showers or storms, except for in far NW Georgia where enough
moisture may linger to support isolated afternoon convection.
Under mostly sunny skies, temperatures will climb from the 60s in
the morning, to the upper 80s to low 90s again during the
afternoon.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday morning through next Saturday)
Issued at 135 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

Initial ridging at the surface and aloft on Tuesday keeps things
dry and warm, but the forecast will be trending toward a more
unsettled pattern with more opportunities for rainfall thereafter.
By Wednesday afternoon and evening, a cold front will push
southeastward toward far north Georgia. The highest PoPs will be
relegated to these areas in proximity to the frontal forcing with
drier conditions initially favored farther southeast.

The front makes only limited southward progress by Thursday into
north Georgia as upper support departs northeastward from the
Great Lakes into Quebec. As such, diurnally-enhanced PoPs should
again be highest along/north of the I-20 corridor. Flow aloft then
transitions into southwest flow by late week as the front becomes
stationary. Weak shortwaves within this flow will enhance
convective coverage headed into the weekend, particularly with the
aid of diurnal heating. Coverage again will likely be highest
across roughly the northern half of the area through this period.
The organized severe threat continues to look low given the
summer-like weakly sheared environment, a couple of strong to
isolated severe storms certainly can't be ruled out. While locally
heavy rainfall will also be possible, the lack of a widespread
and persistent soaking rainfall will limit the overall impact on
the drought through the forecast period.

Temperatures remain generally several degrees above normal (highs
in the mid to upper 80s to lower 90s on the warmest days and lows
in the 60s), though marginally cooler highs are possible late
week given increased clouds and convective coverage.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 102 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

CU fields at 4-6kft starting to develop early this afternoon,
with chances for SHRA/TSRA at all sites through the evening
hours. Outside of impacts from potential SHRA/TSRA, VFR
conditions will continue through tonight. There's potential for
areas of low CIGs to develop around 09-14Z Monday, but confidence
in that is medium at best, and will likely depend on rainfall
from this afternoon. Winds S to SE at 6-10kts through the evening,
becoming light overnight and returning to 6-10 kts on Monday.

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

Medium in TSRA timing and chances. Medium in Monday AM CIGs.
High on all others.

Culver

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          64  89  63  89 /  10   0   0   0
Atlanta         67  87  66  87 /  20  10   0   0
Blairsville     61  82  60  83 /  20  10   0   0
Cartersville    65  88  65  89 /  20  20   0   0
Columbus        66  90  66  90 /  30  10   0   0
Gainesville     65  87  64  86 /  20  10   0   0
Macon           65  90  63  90 /  30   0   0   0
Rome            63  88  64  88 /  20  20  10   0
Peachtree City  64  88  64  88 /  30  10   0   0
Vidalia         66  91  64  91 /  10   0   0  10

&&

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

SHORT TERM...Culver
LONG TERM....RW
AVIATION...Culver

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1158 AM EDT Sun May 17 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-181600-
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-
1158 AM EDT Sun May 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

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

Scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening.
Some storms could become strong to severe, capable of producing
damaging winds, hail up to quarter size, frequent lightning, and
locally heavy rainfall.

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

Additional scattered thunderstorms are expected Wednesday through
Saturday, especially during the afternoon and evening hours, and
will bring the risk for 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
629 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

GAZ105-106-172300-
Crisp GA-Dooly GA-
629 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Dooly
and northeastern Crisp Counties through 700 PM EDT...

At 629 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Wenona, or over
Cordele, moving north 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...
Cordele, Vienna, East Crisp, Tremont, Wenona, and Richwood.

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 3186 8366 3188 8381 3210 8386 3214 8373
      3208 8361
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 184DEG 8KT 3192 8374

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
631 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

GAZ085-086-097-172300-
Emanuel GA-Johnson GA-Laurens GA-
631 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Laurens,
central Emanuel and Johnson Counties through 700 PM EDT...

At 631 PM EDT, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Lovett to near Norristown Junction to near Swainsboro,
and moving northeast 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...
Swainsboro, Wrightsville, Adrian, Nunez, Kite, Spann, Donovan, Modoc,
Canoochee, Norristown, Lovett, Norristown Junction, Dellwood, New
Home, Meeks, Scott, and Covena.

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 3248 8230 3251 8257 3260 8280 3278 8276
      3279 8270 3268 8213
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 209DEG 13KT 3262 8276 3257 8254 3254 8227

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
639 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

GAZ093>095-172315-
Macon GA-Peach GA-Houston GA-
639 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Macon,
southern Peach and southwestern Houston Counties through 715 PM
EDT...

At 639 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Henderson, or 8 miles
southwest of Perry, moving north 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...
Perry, Moss Oak, Meadowdale, Grove Park, and Henderson.

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 3229 8375 3230 8387 3246 8388 3250 8376
      3243 8368
TIME...MOT...LOC 2239Z 194DEG 6KT 3235 8380

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
702 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

GAZ074-085-172330-
Washington GA-Johnson GA-
702 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Washington and north central Johnson Counties through 730 PM EDT...

At 702 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Donovan, or near
Wrightsville, moving north at 15 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...
Wrightsville, Tennille, Harrison, Riddleville, Donovan, New Home, and
Pringle.

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 3269 8258 3269 8280 3294 8282 3294 8253
      3292 8252
TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 187DEG 12KT 3276 8267

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
715 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

GAZ050-060-061-172345-
Putnam GA-Hancock GA-Greene GA-
715 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Putnam,
northwestern Hancock and southeastern Greene Counties through 745 PM
EDT...

At 715 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Oconee Springs Park, or
11 miles west of Sparta, moving north at 15 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...
Phoenix, Reynolds at Lake Oconee, Liberty, Rockville, Devereux,
Shoulderbone, and Oconee Springs Park.

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 3320 8305 3319 8324 3342 8335 3349 8320
      3346 8304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2315Z 170DEG 15KT 3326 8316

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
721 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

GAZ080>082-093-094-172345-
Macon GA-Peach GA-Taylor GA-Bibb GA-Crawford GA-
721 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of north central Macon,
southwestern Bibb, central Peach, Crawford and east central Taylor
Counties through 745 PM EDT...

At 721 PM EDT, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Jack Brown Estates to Lee Pope to near Nakomis,
and moving north at 15 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...
Fort Valley, Roberta, Byron, Reynolds, Lake Tobesofkee, Nakomis, Jack
Brown Estates, Knoxville, Lizella, Powerville, 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3287 8374 3276 8404 3259 8415 3241 8400
      3254 8390 3264 8373
TIME...MOT...LOC 2321Z 165DEG 14KT 3267 8380 3259 8396 3249 8401

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