GA Weather Forecast: Flooding Possible As Heavy Rains Move In

ATLANTA, GA — Storms that could repeatedly drop rain on the Atlanta region Monday through Thursday could dump 3.5 to 6 inches of rain on much of the Atlanta region by Friday, with flooding likely, according to the National Weather Service. There are no flood watches or warnings posted for the area as of Sunday, but the agency has issued a hydrologic outlook and says a flash flood or flood watch may be issued for north Georgia and possibly further south.

A slow-moving front into the Southeast will bring widespread rain chances from north to south through the area from Monday through Thursday.

"Prolonged southerly flow with good fetch from the Gulf of Mexico combined with southwesterly flow aloft will contribute to deep moisture over north and central Georgia through Thursday, leading to the potential for a multi-day heavy rain event," the National Weather Service posted. "With some model uncertainty remaining with respect to the placement and evolution of the front, changes to the forecast rainfall totals can be expected in subsequent (forecasts), and may include slightly higher amounts."

Forecast rainfall amounts in the early and middle parts of the week are expected to be high. Current forecast rainfall totals for Monday through Thursday range from 3.5 to 5 inches over much of north and central Georgia, with some locally heavier rainfall totals possible.

Higher rainfall amounts are expected in west-central Georgia between Atlanta and Columbus, where forecast totals are expected to range from 5 to 6 inches. These rainfall amounts
increase the risk of flooding over the area.

Wednesday and Wednesday night appear to be when the heaviest rain will fall for most of the area.

Soils remain moist across the area and saturated in some locations, and some rivers remain in flood stage, particularly across portions of east-central Georgia. As rainfall begins to accumulate through the middle of the week, the ability for rivers to handle increased runoff diminishes and could quickly result in flooding, the weather service warned.

With the expected rainfall amounts, isolated flash flooding is possible. Periods of heavy rain can overwhelm or clog storm drains and ditches with debris such as fallen leaves, so this is the time to clear stormwater systems.

Minor flooding of some larger creeks or rivers is likely, officials said, and a few rivers may have moderate flooding.

Here the forecast for the week, from the National Weather Service:

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph.

Monday: Showers, mainly after 9am. High near 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 66. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 58. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 56.