Strong Thunderstorms Rolling Into Metro Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA — Strong thunderstorms are expected to rumble into metro Atlanta on Thursday, bringing a chance for flooding, lightning and gusty winds that could continue into next week.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for most of north and central Georgia, including metro Atlanta. On Thursday, the first scattered thunderstorms are supposed to hit the region in the afternoon and early evening.

"A few storms could be strong with the main hazards being gusty winds, occasional lightning and locally heavy rainfall," the weather service said in the outlook. "Areas receiving persistent heavy rainfall could experience localized flooding, especially along creeks and streams, as well as low-lying, urban and poor drainage areas."

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Over the next few days, "numerous" thunderstorms can be expected in and around metro Atlanta.

"On any given day, a few storms could be strong with the main hazards being gusty winds,frequent lightning and heavy rainfall," the service said. "The greatest chances for thunderstorms will occur during the afternoon and evening hours."

According to the NWS forecast, there's a 50 percent chance of showers and storms Thursday afternoon and night, a 40 percent chance Saturday becoming a 30 percent chance Saturday night and a 50 percent chance on Sunday.

From there, there will be a 50-50 chance of storms every day until at least next Wednesday, the weather service reports.

The area covered by the hazardous weather outlook includes Barrow, Bartow, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Oconee and Paulding counties.