Special Weather Statement, NWS Atlanta, GA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
141 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...New 18Z Aviation Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

  - An unsettled weather pattern will bring widespread showers and
    thunderstorms through the holiday weekend and into next week.

  - Locally heavy rainfall can be expected each day, bringing
    isolated flash flooding potential.

  - A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible today and
    Saturday, primarily bringing a localized damaging wind threat.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Saturday)
Issued at 321 AM EDT Fri May 22 2026

Unsettled weather will be the theme to close out the work week
and start the holiday weekend. Continued deep southwest flow will
usher in periodic shortwave disturbances, providing impetuses for
widespread showers and thunderstorms amid deep moisture
characterized by dewpoints in the upper 60s to low 70s and PWATs
1.5- 2". Meanwhile, at the surface, a CAD wedge will remain
situated across northeast/portions of north Georgia through the
day with uncertainty regarding southward extent/persistence
heading into tonight.

While mostly cloudy skies will likely prevail for most
areas through the day, a few breaks could be expected. Thus, overall
thermodynamic environment may be somewhat limited but should still
yield some 800-1200 J/kg SBCAPE this afternoon. While a widespread
severe threat is not anticipated, a few strong to isolated severe
thunderstorms wouldn't be out of the question, primarily for a
localized downburst wind threat. Additionally, locally heavy
rainfall and a subsequent flash/urban flooding threat is possible
given the moist environment, particularly where any training or
anchoring of storms could occur. Exact timing of most widespread
convection is a bit tricky, though redevelopment and more widespread
coverage is favored by late afternoon into this evening.

Heading into Saturday, a very similar forecast can be anticipated.
An additional shortwave disturbance will help generate widespread
convection with some indication that showers and thunderstorms could
reinvigorate as early as Saturday morning. Additionally, vestiges of
the wedge will retreat by Saturday, and resultant instability should
be higher than today with guidance supportive of 1500-2000 J/kg
SBCAPE. Again, a low-end severe threat would manifest primarily in
the form of locally strong wind gusts given instability alongside
and 30-40 kts 0-6 km shear, though isolated hail is also possible.
Locally heavy rainfall and isolated flash flooding will also
remain a threat.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday night through Thursday)
Issued at 321 AM EDT Fri May 22 2026

The summer-like pattern continues through the full long term.
Southwest flow hold moisture across the area with widespread PoPs
peaking each afternoon. Persistent subtropical disturbances will
continue to move through the Gulf states provided the necessary
lift. A few storms each day may become strong to severe with gusty
winds and some hail. The other concern for any storms will be
training heavy rainfall resulting in localized flash flooding.
Rainfall rates of 2"+ per hour will be possible at time. All that
said, no widespread severe is expected through the period.

As we get further into the period, uncertainty increases in the
large scale flow. A high amplitude polar jet will ridge through mid
next week, potentially forming an omega block pattern. The main
uncertainty will be if subtropical shortwave energy will be enough
to undercut this large ridge and continue the rain train or will
conditions settle for hot and muggy. Time will tell, though PoPs
will hold at least low end through the end of next week.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1233 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026
Continued moist flow with showers and thunderstorms across the
area. Expecting all TAF sites to see some SHRA/TSRA over the next
24-30 hours Ceilings are mainly VFR but will lower into the MVFR
to IFR range this evening and overnight. Winds are staying
southerly (SW to SE) in the 5-10kt range. Winds will diminish to
near calm overnight

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

01

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          85  64  81  64 /  80 100  90  80
Atlanta         84  67  82  66 /  80  80  90  70
Blairsville     75  61  76  61 / 100 100  90  70
Cartersville    82  65  82  64 /  70  70  80  60
Columbus        88  67  86  67 /  80  60  80  60
Gainesville     80  66  79  65 /  80 100  90  80
Macon           90  66  85  66 /  70  80  80  60
Rome            80  64  82  63 /  70  70  70  60
Peachtree City  85  66  83  65 /  80  80  90  70
Vidalia         91  70  89  69 /  50  60  80  60

&&

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

SHORT TERM...RW
LONG TERM....SM
AVIATION...01

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
425 AM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-230830-
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-
425 AM EDT Fri May 22 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

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

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected today with the
highest coverage during the afternoon and evening hours. A few
storms could become strong to severe bringing the risk for strong
wind gusts and frequent lightning.

Additionally, locally heavy rainfall can be expected, which could
lead to localized flash flooding concerns.

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

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected Saturday through
Thursday, especially during the afternoon and evening hours,
which will bring the risk for locally heavy rainfall and frequent
lightning. A few storms could become severe.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
325 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAZ106-222000-
Crisp GA-
325 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Crisp County
through 400 PM EDT...

At 325 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Doles, or 13 miles
north of Sylvester, moving north at 25 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, nickel 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, Fort Early, Wenona, Georgia Veterans Memorial St Pk, and
Raines.

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 3181 8383 3183 8384 3182 8385 3184 8386
      3185 8394 3186 8394 3186 8393 3188 8393
      3192 8392 3197 8393 3203 8393 3201 8371
      3180 8378
TIME...MOT...LOC 1925Z 193DEG 21KT 3171 8390

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
353 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAZ074-222030-
Washington GA-
353 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Washington County through 430 PM EDT...

At 353 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Tennille, or 8
miles south of Sandersville, moving north at 25 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, nickel 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...
Sandersville, Tennille, Harrison, and Deepstep.

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 3283 8272 3280 8289 3301 8300 3306 8283
      3303 8268
TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 181DEG 20KT 3286 8284

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Culver

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
358 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAZ104>106-108-222030-
Crisp GA-Dooly GA-Sumter GA-Wilcox GA-
358 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Wilcox,
southern Dooly, east central Sumter and Crisp Counties through 430 PM
EDT...

At 357 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Arabi, or 9 miles south
of Cordele, moving north at 25 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...
Cordele, Vienna, Arabi, East Crisp, Fort Early, Georgia Veterans
Memorial St Pk, Richwood, Seville, Hatley, Drayton, Pleasant View,
Raines, Tremont, and Wenona.

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 3181 8383 3183 8384 3182 8385 3184 8386
      3185 8394 3186 8393 3188 8393 3191 8392
      3191 8398 3214 8398 3208 8353 3185 8358
      3185 8361 3180 8361 3180 8380
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 192DEG 20KT 3183 8376

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
406 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAZ069-079>081-222030-
Taylor GA-Upson GA-Crawford GA-Talbot GA-
406 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Upson,
northwestern Crawford, central Talbot and northwestern Taylor
Counties through 430 PM EDT...

At 406 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Baldwinville, or near
Talbotton, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, nickel 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...
Thomaston, Talbotton, Junction City, Lincoln Park, Sunset Village,
Baldwinville, Redbone Crossroads, Po Biddy Crossroads, Logtown,
Howard, Salem, Prattsburg, Hannahs Mill, Big Lazer Creek Wma,
Carsonville, and Wesley Church.

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 3254 8445 3256 8445 3256 8447 3264 8459
      3296 8434 3279 8409 3252 8441
TIME...MOT...LOC 2006Z 217DEG 25KT 3264 8444

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
410 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAZ034-222030-
Gwinnett GA-
410 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Gwinnett County through 430 PM EDT...

At 409 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Lilburn, or near
Peachtree Corners, moving north at 30 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...
Lawrenceville, Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Suwanee, Lilburn,
Norcross, Berkeley Lake, and Mountain 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 3398 8402 3384 8409 3387 8420 3399 8423
      3400 8421 3399 8420 3400 8418 3402 8418
      3403 8415 3403 8412 3405 8410
TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 188DEG 24KT 3391 8414

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

Culver

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
412 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAZ092-103-104-222045-
Schley GA-Sumter GA-Webster GA-
412 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Webster, southwestern Schley and western Sumter Counties through 445
PM EDT...

At 412 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Olivers Mill, or 9
miles northeast of Dawson, moving north at 25 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...
Americus, Plains, Sumter, Friendship, Maddox, Croxton Crossroads, and
New Era.

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 3197 8444 3193 8444 3192 8446 3192 8448
      3213 8445 3214 8443 3217 8443 3218 8442
      3219 8442 3220 8443 3223 8443 3212 8409
      3191 8420 3192 8434 3187 8434
TIME...MOT...LOC 2012Z 200DEG 22KT 3189 8435

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