Severe weather conditions are poised to affect metro Atlanta and significant parts of North Georgia through Tuesday, with increased risks anticipated on Monday night into early Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued multiple warnings, highlighting the dangerous potential of these storms.
As of 10 PM, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place for much of metro Atlanta until midnight. Earlier, a particularly dangerous thunderstorm producing hail was detected moving into DeKalb and Gwinnett counties, prompting urgent warnings for Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties until 9:15 PM.
Reports indicate that power outages are affecting numerous customers in North Georgia, with both North Georgia EMC and Georgia Power working diligently to restore service. Currently, Georgia Power’s outage map indicates around 600 customers are without power in impacted areas.
Tornado warnings were also issued for various counties, including Bartow and Gordon, requiring immediate action from those within the warning zones. The National Weather Service has continuously updated warnings throughout the evening, underscoring the severity of the storm system as it moves through.
Historically, severe storms in the region have caused turbulent weather patterns around Memorial Day, making the current situation not entirely unprecedented. The storms initially moved into northwest Georgia on Saturday, bringing with them gusty winds, hail, and isolated tornado threats.
Tonight’s forecast suggests a likely escalation in storm intensity between 9 PM and midnight, with substantial wind gusts and heavy rainfall contributing to the existing Level 2 risk status in some areas. Although conditions may stabilize briefly earlier in the day on Monday, ongoing vigilance is crucial due to the potential for severe weather as the night progresses.
Residents are urged to stay updated on real-time weather alerts through apps and local forecasts, particularly during the evening hours when storms are expected to develop more severely. By remaining alert and prepared, communities can navigate these challenging weather conditions more safely.