Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Atlanta, GA
Issued by NWS Atlanta, GA
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695 FXUS62 KFFC 010737 AFDFFC Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 337 AM EDT Wed Jul 1 2026 ...Morning Area Forecast Discussion... .KEY MESSAGES... - A Heat Advisory is in effect for portions of north Georgia today from 12 PM to 8 PM. - Daily afternoon chances for isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast through the weekend. A few stronger storms be possible in portions of northwest Georgia this afternoon. - Hot temperatures and 100-degree heat indices stick around heading into the July Fourth weekend. && .SHORT TERM... (Today through Thursday) Issued at 335 AM EDT Wed Jul 1 2026 A high pressure regime will persist over the Southeast through the short term period, with little movement in the broad ridge aloft as it closes off and develops into a mid-level anticyclone. The influence of this feature will keep hot conditions in place across north and central Georgia. Low temperatures will start the morning in the mid 70s across the majority of the area, with some upper 70s in portions of north Georgia, including the Atlanta metro area. These low temperatures are around 4-8 degrees above daily normals in central Georgia and 8-12 degrees above normal in north Georgia, and are furthermore doing little to provide much relief from the ongoing heat. High temperatures this afternoon will once again rise into the mid 90s in all but the higher elevations of far northeast Georgia. Dewpoints across much of north Georgia will remain in the mid 70s, which will lead to heat index values in the mid 100s once again. A Heat Advisory is in effect for an area from the far northwest corner of the state to as far southeast as Fulton County where heat indices are forecast to be highest and where morning lows largely remain warmest. This Heat Advisory is in effect from 12 PM to 8 PM EDT once again today. Those planning to spend time outdoors should take necessary precautions, drink plenty of fluids, and take frequent breaks in the shade and air conditioning. Surface winds from the northeast will usher in drier air into central and portions of east Georgia today, with dewpoints dropping into the mid to upper 60s. This decrease in dewpoints is expected to be enough to keep heat indices below critical thresholds in this area. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon and evening in areas largely northwest of Atlanta. Here, east-southeasterly flow around the southern flank of the mid-level anticyclone is expected to overspread a highly unstable and well-mixed airmass with SBCAPE values between 2500-3500 J/kg. A few storms this afternoon and evening may become strong to severe, with this environment being favorable for wet microbursts. A Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe weather is in place across northwest Georgia to account for this possibility, with damaging wind gusts being the primary threat with any strong to severe storms. A similar setup is expected on Thursday, with comparatively drier air limiting heat indices and PoPs in central Georgia while heat indices over Heat Advisory criteria and a Marginal Risk for severe weather develop in the afternoon in portions of north Georgia. && .LONG TERM... (Thursday night through Tuesday) Issued at 335 AM EDT Wed Jul 1 2026 Mid-level high pressure will be centered over the Southern/Central Appalachians Thursday gradually shifting towards the Mid-Atlantic region for the first half of the holiday weekend. On Sunday, the ridge shifts east over the Atlantic bringing increased moisture to return to the area. Highs in the mid and upper 90s continue through Independence Day with heat indices hovering in the 100-104 degree range. Chances for rain will generally be low given the isolated nature of any storms and the overall pattern, but do remain in the forecast. High instability but a lack of deep layer shear will generally lead to pulse type convection with storms capable of producing gusty wind, possibly up to severe levels with the strongest storms. Additionally, heavy downpours may accompany any storm. Chances for rain increase Sunday into early next week with above normal moisture over the area. Rain chances and increased cloud cover bring forecast temperatures down slightly Sunday and Monday but the majority of the area will still see highs from the low to mid 90s. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 127 AM EDT Wed Jul 1 2026 VFR conditions are expected to persist through the period. Diurnally-driven SHRA/TSRA is anticipated across far north GA, with chances too low to warrant mention at the ATL TAF sites beyond VCSH between mid afternoon and 02Z. Winds will be light and variable to start the period, becoming E/SE at 4-8 kts after 14-15Z and through the remainder of the day. //ATL Confidence...06Z Update... High confidence on all elements. King && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 95 74 97 74 / 10 0 10 0 Atlanta 95 77 96 77 / 20 10 10 10 Blairsville 89 71 91 70 / 40 20 40 10 Cartersville 96 76 98 75 / 30 30 20 10 Columbus 95 75 95 75 / 10 10 0 0 Gainesville 95 75 97 74 / 10 10 10 10 Macon 94 72 95 74 / 0 0 0 0 Rome 96 76 98 75 / 30 30 20 10 Peachtree City 93 75 95 74 / 20 10 10 0 Vidalia 95 71 96 73 / 0 0 0 0 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ001>007-011>013-019>021-030>033-041>044. && $$ SHORT TERM...King LONG TERM....Heller AVIATION...King