264
FXUS62 KFFC 181039
AFDFFC

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
639 AM EDT Tue Aug 18 2026



...New 12Z Aviation Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

  - Drier air will bring slightly cooler conditions to north
    Georgia on Tuesday, though a Heat Advisory will remain in
    effect for most of central Georgia through Tuesday evening.

  - Thunderstorm chances will be limited Tuesday through
    Thursday, then increase somewhat late this week into the
    weekend.


&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Wednesday)
Issued at 332 AM EDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Outflow boundary from the overnight storms have clear the CWA and
all storms and only a few showers remain as of writing. These will
very quickly fade. Most air remains behind in north and central
Georgia this morning as surface front has mostly stalled across TN,
but 925 SfcOA from SPC shows cold front is already moving into north
Georgia. As sun comes up, air mass with rapidly mix down and mix out
our surface moisture. Dewpoints today will mix down into the 60s
across north Georgia and the metro. Further into central GA, will
take a bit more time for this to happen, so heat indices will have
the opportunity to reach into the upper 100s for yet another day.
High temperatures will be 90s and could approach triple digits in
parts of central Georgia. Heat Advisory remains in place across
central Georgia. Otherwise, clear and sunny day ahead.

Going into Wednesday, drier air filters in even further, so
dewpoints will drop into the 60s CWA-wide during the afternoon.
Highs will still be in the 90s, but we -may- be able to avoid
continuing the heat advisories thanks to the (relatively) lower
moisture content in the atmosphere. No rain or thunderstorms
expected.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday night through Monday)
Issued at 332 AM EDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Previous long term discussion below (no big forecast changes with
this package update):

(Wednesday morning through next Sunday)
Issued at 207 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

The main story for the long term period will be oppressive heat
for parts of the area later this week, courtesy of a lingering
mid-level ridge and advection of warm 850 mb air from the southern
Great Plains. At this time, Thursday and Friday may necessitate
Heat Advisory issuances given progged heat index values of 105-109
degrees across at least parts of central Georgia. Thursday is
shaping up to be the hotter of the two days, with actual air
temperatures progged to be in the upper 90s to lower 100s from the
northern Atlanta metro to areas south.

A large-scale pattern change will begin on Friday and continue
into the weekend. An amplifying upper-level ridge over the West
will induce expansive troughing over the East. Coupled with
increasing low-level and mid-level moisture, the environment
should support isolated to scattered convection across at least
parts of the area on Friday and Saturday. Instability should be
plentiful (with caveats being increased cloud cover and capping)
but at this time, deep-layer shear looks to be lacking. In the
absence of convection growing upscale, hazards should be typical
of summertime "popcorn" storms -- localized gusty winds, heavy
rainfall, and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.

A "cold" front (honestly, more accurately described as a moisture
gradient) will work through the area from northwest to southeast
between Saturday and Sunday. While the timing of the front`s
passage is somewhat uncertain, ensemble guidance signals that rain
chances will be relegated to central Georgia on Sunday.

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 630 AM EDT Tue Aug 18 2026

VFR through TAF period. Low cigs look to remain north of metro TAF
sites this morning and not bring impacts to airfields. These will
fade quickly after sunrise. Winds will pick up from NW at 7-12 kts
this afternoon with gusts around 20 kts possible. These should go
lighter after sunset. No other vsby, wx, or cig concerns through
period.


//ATL Confidence...12Z Update...

High all elements.

Lusk

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          96  71  96  72 /   0   0   0   0
Atlanta         94  72  95  75 /   0   0   0   0
Blairsville     86  63  88  68 /   0   0   0   0
Cartersville    93  68  95  71 /   0   0   0   0
Columbus        96  74  96  74 /   0   0   0   0
Gainesville     93  70  95  73 /   0   0   0   0
Macon           96  73  96  73 /   0   0   0   0
Rome            93  68  95  70 /   0   0   0  10
Peachtree City  94  70  95  71 /   0   0   0   0
Vidalia        100  75  99  75 /  10  10   0   0

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ072>074-076-
080>086-089>098-102>113.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Lusk
LONG TERM....Martin
AVIATION...Lusk