Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are experiencing temperatures that feel more like early summer than early March, with forecasters warning that temperatures could remain 15 to 20 degrees above normal through the coming days.

High temperatures Saturday are expected to reach the low 80s, bringing warm and humid conditions to the region. Early morning patchy fog may reduce visibility in some areas before lifting late in the morning as southwest winds increase.

Weather officials say the biggest concern Saturday will come late this afternoon into the evening, when a line of thunderstorms is expected to move through Northwest Georgia after around 7 PM. While many storms may remain below severe limits, isolated strong to severe storms are possible, with the primary threat being damaging wind gusts.

The atmosphere will contain plenty of moisture and instability, increasing the chance that at least one part of the storm line could briefly intensify as it passes through the area. Most storms are expected to weaken into scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms by early Sunday morning.

Looking ahead, the warm and unsettled pattern is expected to continue across Northwest Georgia into early next week, bringing daily chances of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Another round of more organized storms could develop late Monday into Tuesday as weather systems move across the Gulf Coast region.

By late next week, a cold front is expected to move across the Southeast, bringing cooler and drier air and temperatures closer to normal for this time of year.

Residents in Chattooga County and surrounding areas are encouraged to monitor weather updates and remain alert for possible strong storms Saturday evening.