ATLANTA, GA — A low-end Level 1 severe threat is in place for the eastern side of Georgia Saturday, with storms capable of producing damaging winds and frequent lightning through the afternoon.
Temperatures where rain holds off are expected to remain plenty hot through the afternoon, keeping the overall setup feeling like a typical summertime Saturday across much of the state.
Damaging Winds and Hail Both Possible
The primary threats accompanying Saturday’s storms include damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, along with a small chance of large hail and frequent lightning strikes.
The severe risk area covers a broad swath of eastern Georgia, including Atlanta, Athens, Gainesville, Cornelia, Hartwell, Eatonton, and Milledgeville, while areas farther west, including Rome, Carrollton, and LaGrange, fall outside the highest-risk zone.
Hourly Forecast Shows Storm Chances Building
Hour-by-hour model data shows temperatures climbing into the low 90s across much of the outlook area by early afternoon, with Athens, Eatonton, and Covington among the areas forecast to reach the mid 90s by 3 PM…