As summer settles into Northwest Georgia, residents can expect a hot and increasingly humid weekend with the possibility of scattered thunderstorms each afternoon.

The National Weather Service says temperatures across Chattooga County will climb into the upper 80s today before reaching around 90 degrees on Saturday. While much of today should remain mostly sunny, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon across portions of North Georgia. A few storms could produce gusty winds, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rainfall, but widespread severe weather is not anticipated today.

Saturday brings a slightly greater risk for stronger storms as a weak weather disturbance and an approaching cold front move into the region. Forecasters say scattered to numerous thunderstorms could develop during the afternoon and evening, with a few capable of producing isolated damaging wind gusts. Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County, is included in a Marginal Risk for severe weather, meaning isolated severe storms are possible.

The heat will become an increasing concern heading into next week. Afternoon heat index values are expected to reach the upper 90s this weekend before climbing to near or above 105 degrees Monday through Wednesday as temperatures rise into the mid-90s and humidity remains high. If the forecast holds, heat advisories may be issued early next week.

Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, and remain weather aware Saturday afternoon and evening in case stronger thunderstorms develop.