Travelers heading out of Atlanta on Tuesday should brace for significant delays due to two rounds of storms predicted to sweep through north and central Georgia, coinciding with one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Rain began impacting North Georgia early Tuesday morning, with scattered thunderstorms already making their presence felt. As of 8:10 A.M., thunderstorm warnings were issued for several counties, including Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Fayette, and others, bringing the potential for damaging wind gusts of up to 60 mph. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport initiated a ground stop at 7:55 A.M. due to the thunderstorms, which is currently slated to last until 8:45 A.M.
Throughout the morning, the storm system progressed across northwest Georgia, prompting severe thunderstorm warnings for areas like Paulding, Bartow, and Cobb counties. Meteorological forecasts indicated that the storms could produce damaging winds as they move rapidly from the west.
The weather timeline for the Atlanta metro area outlined an influx of rain beginning between 5:00 and 5:30 A.M., with light showers expected to escalate through the morning. By mid-morning, severe thunderstorm warnings were anticipated to extend into the region as conditions worsened, with temperatures uncharacteristically rising to the low 70s for late November.
As the day progressed, the severe weather risk is projected to intensify between 4:00 and 8:00 P.M., when the storms would escalate in frequency and intensity, leading to a Level 1 risk for damaging winds and hail in metro Atlanta. The most intense weather is expected post-sunset, with potential for heavy rain and even brief tornado formations before the storms move out after midnight.
Beyond the immediate area, other major U.S. cities such as New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., are also forecasted to experience showers, which could result in ripple effects for air travel nationwide. Meteorologist Forbes remarked on the challenging travel scenario, emphasizing that regions from Pittsburgh down to Huntsville could expect significant delays.
Once the storms pass, conditions are forecasted to become breezy and cooler. Wednesday’s weather shift will bring wind and colder air, with Thanksgiving Day expected to be clear but significantly chilled with highs in the mid-50s. The week will conclude with temperatures plunging toward the 40s, hinting at an even colder spell approaching.
Overall, while the weather may disrupt travel on a busy day, there’s hope for clear skies and cooler temperatures in the days to follow, providing a peaceful atmosphere for Thanksgiving celebrations.