Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia should prepare for another hot and humid day today, with scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms expected to develop.

The National Weather Service says there’s a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., with highs reaching around 94 degrees. Heat index values are expected to climb to around 101 degrees locally, making it feel several degrees hotter than the actual air temperature.

Some of the stronger storms this afternoon and evening could produce frequent lightning, wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, and heavy downpours. Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County, remains under a Level 1 of 5 Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms. The greatest threat is expected between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Storms should gradually diminish tonight, leaving partly cloudy skies and overnight lows near 72 degrees.

The unsettled weather pattern will continue throughout the upcoming week. Monday brings a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 90 degrees, followed by daily opportunities for scattered afternoon storms through next weekend. While rain won’t occur everywhere each day, the combination of high humidity and temperatures in the lower 90s will keep heat index values in the upper 90s to around 100 degrees across much of Northwest Georgia.

Forecasters say the highest rainfall totals this week are expected to occur across far Northwest Georgia, making communities like Chattooga County more likely to see repeated rounds of afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

Motorists and those with outdoor plans should monitor the weather, seek shelter immediately if thunder is heard, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions during the afternoon and evening hours.