Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Atlanta, GA
Issued by NWS Atlanta, GA
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001 FXUS62 KFFC 161826 AFDFFC Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 226 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026 ...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion... .KEY MESSAGES... - Oppressive heat continues through much of the upcoming work week. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through Monday evening, and additional heat headlines are likely thereafter. - A few strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts up to 60 MPH are possible in North Georgia on Monday. - Limited thunderstorm chances are expected through mid-week before increasing slightly late in the week. && .SHORT TERM... (This afternoon through Monday) Issued at 222 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026 Summer heat will not relinquish its grip any time soon as a broad ridge will persist across the southern tier of the US headed into Monday. Our long-standing Heat Advisory will continue through tomorrow evening (with extension beyond this time expected with future forecast updates) as heat index values will easily reach the 105 threshold for the bulk of the area outside of the mountains on Monday. In fact, Monday looks likely to bring the hottest temperatures of the week for most areas before the ridge begins to retreat westward slightly thereafter. As such, more widespread highs touching the upper 90s (with a couple 100 degree readings possibly sprinkled in) are expected while soupy 70s dewpoints provide an environment ripe for heat index values 105-109 by afternoon. As has been the case the past few days, a few spots could flirt with 110 heat index maximums during the afternoon, but the lack of more widespread/sustained values will preclude any Extreme Heat Warning issuance at this juncture. As far as thunderstorm potential today is concerned, as expected, north Georgia is largely dry this afternoon as a bit of "drier" air has settled into that part of the state. Scattered thunderstorms will continue to be concentrated across eastern and central Georgia through early evening before dissipating. On Monday, a convergent boundary/weak front will settle across the Tennessee Valley into the Appalachians. Coupled with a midlevel wave/vortmax, this will provide the impetus for thunderstorm development during the heat of the afternoon. While the bulk of this activity will likely be north of the area initially, these storms should propagate into far north Georgia through the afternoon with a gradual diminishment in coverage farther south toward the I-20 corridor during the evening. The environment will be supportive of a few instances of strong to locally damaging wind gusts with this threat highlighted by a Slight Risk from SPC for the far northern tier and a Marginal Risk farther south to the I-20 corridor. && .LONG TERM... (Tuesday morning through next Saturday) Issued at 222 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026 Impactful heat continues areawide through this next work week. Ridging aloft and surface high pressure will keep daytime temperatures in the mid to upper 90s for all except the higher elevations each day. Heat index values are anticipated to be highest on Tuesday with values ranging 103-109F. Regardless, heat indices are likely to remain at or above 100F for most places through the week. Additional heat headlines throughout the week for at least some portions of the forecast area are likely. Limited thunderstorm coverage is anticipated both Tuesday and Wednesday as drier and hotter air stays in place. But from mid-week onward isolated to scattered thunderstorms return. Thunderstorm chances and cloud cover may provide some relief from the heat but daytime temperatures and heat indices will still be quite warm through the period. Continue to keep the heat in mind, both day and night, as you plan outdoor work and activities for next week. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 120 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026 VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period outside of iso TSRA possible mainly at MCN/CSG through 22-00Z. Otherwise, winds will remain NW 5-8 kts through the day and under 5 kts overnight. //ATL Confidence...18Z Update... High confidence. RW && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 75 99 76 97 / 0 10 0 0 Atlanta 77 98 77 95 / 0 10 10 10 Blairsville 70 90 69 87 / 0 30 20 0 Cartersville 75 98 74 95 / 0 10 10 10 Columbus 77 98 77 97 / 0 10 10 10 Gainesville 75 97 75 95 / 0 20 10 0 Macon 75 97 76 97 / 10 10 0 10 Rome 76 97 75 94 / 0 20 20 10 Peachtree City 75 97 75 95 / 0 10 10 10 Vidalia 76 99 78 100 / 10 10 0 10 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Monday for GAZ001>005-011-012- 019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-089>098-102>113. && $$ SHORT TERM...RW LONG TERM....07 AVIATION...RW