Northwest Georgia residents can expect a stretch of cooler-than-normal temperatures and daily opportunities for showers and thunderstorms through the upcoming weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Clouds and periods of rain moved into the region Tuesday as tropical moisture streamed northward into Georgia. The increased cloud cover and rainfall are expected to keep daytime temperatures in the 70s, well below typical mid-June readings.

Rain chances will continue through Wednesday, although coverage is expected to decrease somewhat across Northwest Georgia as a frontal boundary shifts southward. Temperatures should rebound into the lower 80s by midweek.

Forecasters are closely monitoring a tropical disturbance currently moving from Texas toward the Gulf Coast. That system is expected to bring a significant surge of tropical moisture into Georgia Thursday and Friday, increasing the potential for periods of heavy rainfall across the region.

While there remains uncertainty regarding the strength and exact track of the system, meteorologists say precipitable water values could exceed two inches, creating favorable conditions for heavy downpours and localized flooding. Depending on how much instability develops, some stronger thunderstorms may also be possible later this week.

Conditions are expected to gradually improve over the weekend as the tropical system moves east of the area, though isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms will remain possible. Temperatures should slowly warm but are expected to remain near or slightly below seasonal averages.

Residents are encouraged to stay weather aware and monitor updated forecasts as confidence in the late-week system increases.