Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia should keep the umbrella handy this week as the National Weather Service forecasts daily chances for afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms through the weekend.

Today brings a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 2 p.m. under partly sunny skies, with a high near 86 degrees. Rain chances continue each afternoon through Wednesday, when coverage increases to around 60 percent. Storms are expected to be driven primarily by daytime heating, and some could produce locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds between 30 and 50 mph, and isolated flash flooding in areas that receive repeated downpours.

Rain chances taper slightly Thursday before increasing again Friday and Saturday. While widespread severe weather is not expected, forecasters say a few stronger storms remain possible each afternoon.

Temperatures will stay slightly below average through midweek, with highs in the mid to upper 80s, before climbing back into the low and mid-90s by the weekend as high pressure begins to build across the Southeast.

Residents are encouraged to monitor the forecast each afternoon, remain weather aware if thunderstorms develop, and avoid driving through flooded roadways.