GA Weather: Flash Flood Watch, Storms To Dump 4 Inches Rain

ATLANTA, GA — Brace yourself for storms that could produce a tornado and heavy rains the rest of the work week. Downpours could dump 2 to 4 inches of rain on much of the Atlanta region by Friday, with 6 inch rainfall amounts possible in a few areas, according to the National Weather Service.

Because of the likelihood of repeated bouts of heavy rain, the weather service says a flash flood watch will take effect at 6 p.m. Wednesday and remain in place until 7 a.m. Friday.

"Very heavy rain will be moving in tonight and continuing through Thursday night," the National Weather Service warned. "Three to four inches of rain with local amounts near six inches are possible. Flooding will continue well after the rain ends."

Areas in the flood watch include: Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Douglas, and DeKalb counties, plus the cities of Cartersville, Marietta, Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Athens, Douglasville, East Point, Decatur, and Peachtree City.

"Isolated thunderstorms capable of producing locally heavy rain and gusty winds are possible throughout the afternoon today, mainly across portions of north and west Georgia," the National Weather Service said. "A strong storm system will enter west Georgia tonight and push east into the overnight period. Strong to severe thunderstorms associated with this system could produce damaging wind gusts. A brief tornado cannot be ruled out."

Periods of very heavy rain are expected to begin Wednesday night, the forecasters said, which will
elevate the flood potential across the area overnight, especially in the higher terrain of north Georgia, urban areas, low-lying areas, and small creeks and streams.

Here's what to expect in the days ahead:

Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 60. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 66. South wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 40. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of rain after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of rain before 8am. Sunny, with a high near 56.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.