Alert archive / Georgia / Special Weather Statements in 2026

Special Weather Statement, NWS Atlanta, GA

August 5, 2026Barrow County, Rockdale County, Walton County, Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this special weather statement at Aug 5, 2026, 5:44 PM EDT for Barrow County, Rockdale County, Walton County, Georgia. It was in force for 46 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 5, 2026, 5:44 PM EDT (21:44 UTC)
Expired
Aug 5, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Hail
0.00 in
Wind
40

Counties Barrow County, GA, Rockdale County, GA, Walton County, GA

The radar

The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:47 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 9.7 hours before the alert went out and 89 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2026-08-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1388 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2026-08-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 32 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1388 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-20 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
579 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
10 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
32 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
41 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at Aug 5, 2:17 PM EDT, 3 hours 27 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered showers and thunderstorms will return on Thursday, again bringing the risk for locally heavy rainfall.
  • Diurnally-enhanced storm chances will continue throughout the week, with threats for locally heavy rain and gusty winds.
  • Afternoon highs will remain within a degree or two of seasonal norms (mid-80s to lower 90s) through the week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 5, 2:17 PM EDT, 3 hours 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
217 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

  - Scattered showers and thunderstorms will return on Thursday,
    again bringing the risk for locally heavy rainfall.

  - Diurnally-enhanced storm chances will continue throughout the
    week, with threats for locally heavy rain and gusty winds.

  - Afternoon highs will remain within a degree or two of
    seasonal norms (mid-80s to lower 90s) through the week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Thursday)
Issued at 211 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

If you're looking for consistency, you'll find it in the short term
forecast. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will
persist this afternoon in association with a dying midlevel low as
it gradually lifts northeastward and is absorbed into the trough to
our north.  Fortunately, convection has a bit more forward movement
today as compared to yesterday, helping to limit the residency of
heavy rainfall over any one spot. Still, given the soupy
environment, any training cells could produce locally heavy rainfall
and an isolated instance of flash flooding. Convective coverage will
then dissipate markedly after sunset with the loss of heating.

As mentioned above, consistency is key heading into Thursday as we
transition into a period of sustained SW flow aloft around the
western periphery of the building Bermuda high. As such, a good
smattering of scattered showers and thunderstorms can again be
expected with daytime heating Thursday afternoon. Highs may notch
upward slightly on Friday, though still fairly tame for early
August, ranging from the upper 80s to lower 90s for most outside of
the mountains.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Friday morning through next Tuesday)
Issued at 211 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

The models are in good agreement with the long term weather pattern,
which is characterized by a more prominent Bermuda High and
rising heights over the extended period. The CWA will remain along
the periphery of this high pressure supporting a general
southerly flow and a continuation of elevated PWATs ranging from
1.5-2". This setup will reinforce the summertime pattern with weak
flow aloft and a stricter diurnal distribution of isolated to
scattered pulse-type thunderstorms as we approach the weekend. PoP
chances will remain in the 30-60% range over the area through the
first of next week. Some of the storms may become strong with
gusty winds and localized flash flooding considerations. This
pattern will support a general downward trend in cloud cover and
an upward trend in temperatures, rising slightly into the upper
80s to low 90s outside of mountain areas by the weekend. As
conditions warm, the potential for triple- digit heat indices will
increase, and we will keep an eye on the possibility of issuing a
Heat Advisory.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1241 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

Widespread SHRA and embedded sct TSRA can be expected through 00Z
before diminishing. Cigs will largely remain VFR (4-6 kft) outside
of SHRA/TSRA. Areas of lower cigs are possible by 10-12Z Thursday
with highest probability near AHN, though confidence in coverage
is low. Additional sct SHRA/TSRA are again expected on Thursday,
mainly after 18Z. Wind direction will be highly variable through
the period mainly between SSE and SSW with speeds 3-6 kts.

//ATL Confidence...18Z Update...
Low confidence on wind direction and morning low cig potential.
Medium confidence on other elements.

RW

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          69  88  70  89 /  30  40  40  60
Atlanta         72  89  72  89 /  20  40  30  50
Blairsville     65  82  66  83 /  30  70  30  80
Cartersville    71  90  71  91 /  10  50  20  50
Columbus        74  93  73  93 /  20  30  20  30
Gainesville     70  87  70  87 /  40  60  40  70
Macon           71  92  71  92 /  20  30  30  30
Rome            70  90  71  91 /  10  50  10  40
Peachtree City  70  90  70  90 /  10  40  20  40
Vidalia         73  93  72  94 /  40  40  20  20

&&

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

SHORT TERM...RW
LONG TERM....82
AVIATION...RW
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 5, 11:46 AM EDT, 5 hours 58 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1146 AM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-061600-
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-
1146 AM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

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

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected through
the afternoon. A few storms may develop gusty winds and locally
heavy rainfall. Slow moving heavy rainfall may pose a localized
flash flood risk.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday...

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected each
afternoon through Friday. Locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds
will be primary storm threats.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 5, 4:05 PM EDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
405 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

GAZ014-015-022-023-052045-
Hall GA-Dawson GA-Forsyth GA-Lumpkin GA-
405 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Forsyth, southeastern Lumpkin, southeastern Dawson and northwestern
Hall Counties through 445 PM EDT...

At 405 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Silver City, or 7 miles
south of Dawsonville, moving northeast 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...
Gainesville, Dawsonville, Dougherty, Matt, Silver City, Murrayville,
Chestatee, Auraria, Coal Mountain, and War Hill 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 3422 8408 3434 8421 3451 8409 3448 8389
      3433 8381
TIME...MOT...LOC 2005Z 226DEG 9KT 3433 8408

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Special weather statement, Aug 5, 4:16 PM EDT, 1 hour 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
416 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

GAZ022-023-034-052100-
Hall GA-Forsyth GA-Gwinnett GA-
416 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Forsyth,
northeastern Gwinnett and southwestern Hall Counties through 500 PM
EDT...

At 416 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Buford, or 10 miles
southeast of Cumming, moving northeast 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...
Gainesville, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Buford, Braselton, Flowery Branch,
Oakwood, Rest Haven, Buford Dam-Lake Lanier Parks, Aqualand Park,
Chestnut Mountain, Oscarville, Road Atlanta-Lanier Speedway, and Lake
Lanier Islands.

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 3425 8383 3415 8379 3413 8382 3409 8384
      3404 8405 3411 8412 3426 8397
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 226DEG 9KT 3410 8402

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Special weather statement, Aug 5, 4:49 PM EDT, 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
449 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

GAZ003-004-052115-
Whitfield GA-Catoosa GA-
449 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Catoosa and
northwestern Whitfield Counties through 515 PM EDT...

At 449 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Wood Station, or near
Ringgold, moving northeast 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...
Dalton, Ringgold, Fort Oglethorpe, Varnell, Tunnel Hill, Cohutta,
Boynton, Beaumont, Indian Springs, Wood Station, Rocky Face, and
Graysville.

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 3499 8485 3474 8504 3476 8515 3477 8515
      3477 8516 3478 8516 3478 8520 3485 8520
      3486 8522 3499 8524
TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 207DEG 17KT 3485 8513

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

Culver
Special weather statement, Aug 5, 5:10 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
510 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

GAZ059-071-072-082-052200-
Monroe GA-Bibb GA-Jones GA-Jasper GA-
510 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Bibb,
eastern Monroe, northwestern Jones and south central Jasper Counties
through 600 PM EDT...

At 510 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Dames Ferry, or 10
miles east of Forsyth, moving northeast 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...
Forsyth, Bolingbroke, Wayside, Dames Ferry, Berner, Round Oak,
Juliette, Russellville, Plant Scherer, and Jarrell Plantation.

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 3285 8391 3291 8401 3319 8381 3315 8360
      3302 8357 3284 8389
TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 225DEG 15KT 3298 8376

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Special weather statement, Aug 5, 5:20 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
520 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

GAZ072-052200-
Jones GA-
520 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Jones
County through 600 PM EDT...

At 520 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Bradley, or near Gray,
moving north 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...
Gray, Ethridge, Bradley, Clinton, and Blountsville.

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 3297 8360 3316 8360 3317 8355 3318 8347
      3315 8342 3309 8341 3296 8354
TIME...MOT...LOC 2120Z 194DEG 13KT 3306 8352

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
Special weather statement, Aug 5, 5:44 PM EDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
544 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

GAZ034-035-037-046>048-052230-
Walton GA-Rockdale GA-Barrow GA-Gwinnett GA-Oconee GA-Newton GA-
544 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Rockdale,
northwestern Oconee, Barrow, southeastern Gwinnett, northern Walton
and northwestern Newton Counties through 630 PM EDT...

At 544 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Georgia International
Horse Park, or near Conyers, 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...
Conyers, Winder, Monroe, Snellville, Loganville, Auburn, Dacula,
Grayson, Statham, Oxford, Walnut Grove, Bethlehem, Between, Carl,
Jersey, Georgia International Horse Park, Fort Yargo State Park,
Windsor, Harbin, and Nicholasville.

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 3406 8376 3405 8371 3405 8367 3389 8357
      3356 8394 3360 8404 3407 8392
TIME...MOT...LOC 2144Z 194DEG 14KT 3365 8394

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

The office that day

Everything else NWS Atlanta, GA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 5, 12:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCHeard24 min
Aug 5, 1:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCCoweta27 min
Aug 5, 1:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCBartow35 min
Aug 5, 2:23 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCCoweta37 min
Aug 5, 2:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCCobb29 min
Aug 5, 3:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCPolk25 min
Aug 5, 3:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCChattooga51 min
Aug 5, 4:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCDawson40 min
Aug 5, 4:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCForsyth44 min
Aug 5, 4:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCCatoosa26 min
Aug 5, 5:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCMonroe50 min
Aug 5, 5:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCJones40 min
Aug 5, 6:04 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCNewton, Rockdale, Walton15 min
Aug 5, 6:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCHenry49 min
Aug 5, 6:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHenry, Newton31 min
Aug 5, 6:39 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCMeriwether51 min
Aug 5, 6:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCClarke, Oconee31 min
Aug 5, 7:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCTaliaferro25 min
Aug 5, 7:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCMadison29 min
Aug 5, 7:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCPike44 min
Aug 5, 7:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCOglethorpe26 min
Aug 5, 7:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCFayette33 min

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Georgia, 2026Every special weather statement in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.