Tropical Storm Nestor To Bring Weekend Rains To Georgia

GEORGIA — The National Hurricane Center has upgraded the disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico to Tropical Storm Nestor with 60 mph sustained winds.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hurricane hunter aircraft investigating the storm is reporting that the system has strengthened with sustained winds of 60 mph.

Nestor is gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico, and has prompted storm surge warnings for the northern Gulf Coast states and is expected to dump several inches of rain on parts of Georgia before early next week, according to the National Weather Service. In Atlanta, an inch to two inches of rain are forecast, with heavier amounts falling to the south.

The weather service has issued a hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north and central Georgia.

Isolated thunderstorms will become possible late Friday night as the tropical storm moves onshore at the Florida panhandle. Locally heavy rain and gusty winds will be the main hazards, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, forecasters say.

The low pressure center associated with the tropical system will quickly move northeast across the southeast U.S. on Sunday. Isolated thunderstorms will continue to be possible Saturday. Locally heavy rain and gusty winds will be the main hazards, but an isolated tornado is possible, the NWS said.

Isolated thunderstorms will be possible into early next week as the cold front moves into the region.

The tropical disturbance began forming in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday. The NHC said it's headed northeast toward the Florida Panhandle with the possibility of dangerous storm surge and tropical storm-force winds along portions of the northern Gulf coast Friday night.

As of 8 a.m. Friday, "Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen," as it was then known, had maximum sustained winds of about 40 mph and was about 305 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical storm conditions were expected along the coast in the warning area along the Gulf Coast later Friday, which could make storm preparations dangerous. "Gale-force winds are possible along portions of the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States by Saturday," NHS said.

The storm is expected to blanket the Southeast with rain, according to forecasters.

"The disturbance is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches this weekend from the central Gulf Coast and northern and central Florida to the eastern Carolinas, with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches," NHS said.

Here's the National Weather Service's forecast through Oct. 25:

Today (Friday, Oct. 18)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Saturday (Saturday, Oct. 19)
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8 a.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., then showers likely after 1 p.m. High near 60. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 54. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday, Oct. 20
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Monday, Oct. 21
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.

Monday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Tuesday, Oct. 22
A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

Wednesday, Oct. 23
Sunny, with a high near 69.

Wednesday Night
Clear, with a low around 51.

Thursday, Oct. 21
Sunny, with a high near 71.