Hot and humid weather will take center stage across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia Thursday, August 20, with the National Weather Service also watching for the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms later in the day and overnight.

Thursday will be mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96 degrees. The heat index could climb as high as 103 during the afternoon. Winds will remain light, with only a 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m.

Forecasters say the combination of heat and humidity will make it feel like the triple digits across much of the region. While conditions are expected to remain just below Heat Advisory criteria, anyone working or spending extended periods outdoors should use caution during the hottest part of the afternoon.

Strong Storm Threat Increases Thursday Night

Thunderstorm chances will increase Thursday evening and overnight as a disturbance approaches the region. The National Weather Service says enough instability could remain in place even after sunset to support some stronger storms.

A few storms Thursday and Friday could become strong to severe, capable of producing gusty to damaging winds, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall. The Storm Prediction Center has placed portions of the region under a Marginal Risk for severe weather.

The chance of rain Thursday night is 50 percent, with thunderstorms possible before 2 a.m. and a slight chance of showers lingering into the early morning hours. The overnight low will be around 72.

Another Hot Friday

Patchy fog will be possible before 9 a.m. Friday before skies become mostly sunny. The high will reach around 92, with heat index values approaching 99 degrees.

There is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms during portions of the day. Forecasters say isolated strong storms cannot be ruled out, although the greatest severe-weather potential Friday is expected farther south and east.

A 30 percent chance of thunderstorms continues into Friday evening before skies become mostly clear. The low will fall to around 69.

Drier Weather Arrives For The Weekend

A cold front moving through Georgia will bring somewhat drier air into the region Saturday, providing some relief from the more oppressive humidity.

Saturday will be sunny with a high near 93, followed by mostly clear skies and a low around 69 Saturday night.

Sunday will also be sunny, with a high near 91. Sunday night should be mostly clear and cooler, with temperatures dropping to around 66.

The lower humidity will help keep heat index readings closer to the actual air temperature through much of the weekend and into the beginning of next week.

Storm Chances Return Next Week

Monday will be mostly sunny with a high near 91 and a nighttime low around 67.

By Tuesday, moisture will begin returning to the region. There will be a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday and Tuesday night, with a high near 91.

Scattered thunderstorms become a little more likely Wednesday, when the rain chance increases to 30 percent. Otherwise, skies will remain mostly sunny with a high near 92.

Forecasters caution that the summertime pattern can occasionally produce stronger thunderstorms even when overall rain chances are relatively low. Any storm that develops during peak afternoon heating could produce frequent lightning, heavy downpours and strong, gusty winds.