Georgia braces for severe storm threat overnight

ATLANTA – Metro Atlanta is bracing for a wave of strong to severe storms overnight into the early morning hours Sunday. While this is nothing we haven’t seen before, it’s been a while since a system of this type has moved through the state.

The same severe weather outbreak affecting parts of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas is expected to move east toward northern Georgia Sunday morning. What we get should not be nearly as intense as our western neighbors have experienced.

On Saturday night, visibility took a hit as temperatures continued to warm up, reaching the 60s overnight. The King and Queen buildings in Sandy Springs were barely visible against the dreary skyline.

The threat of severe weather is expected to begin at midnight with isolated cells ahead of the main line.

The main squall line will begin to cross the Alabama-Georgia state line around 8 p.m. 04.00. It will take from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. before the line moves throughout North Georgia. The worst weather is expected in the metro area between 3 and 5 in the morning. Areas north and northeast of Atlanta, such as Gainesville and Cornelia, could see more than two inches of rainfall, while the metro area could receive over half an inch.

Because of the timing of this system, it is important to have a way to receive overnight weather alerts that will wake you up. This could include wireless emergency alerts on your phone or a weather radio.

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Saturated soil, combined with heavy rainfall, can lead to localized flooding. Strong winds associated with these storms could bring down trees and power lines, and isolated, brief tornadoes cannot be ruled out, especially in areas south of Atlanta where conditions will be most conducive.

The storm is expected to clear by noon Sunday, with winds gusting over 20 mph. Temperatures will rise to about 67 degrees, which is average for this time of year.

New Year’s Eve weather forecast

The extended forecast shows calmer weather ahead, with a small chance of showers on New Year’s Eve and clear skies on New Year’s Day.

The source

FOX 5 Atlanta Storm Team meteorologists Alex Forbes and Julie Martin contributed to this story from Atlanta.

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