The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair opens later this week, and while temperatures are looking fairly typical for late August, fairgoers may want to keep an eye on the forecast as showers and thunderstorms could affect portions of the four-day event.

The fair opens Thursday, August 27, and continues through Sunday, August 30, at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville. Current forecasts indicate temperatures should generally remain in the upper 80s to around 90 degrees during the fair, with the greatest rain chances currently expected around opening day Thursday.

The National Weather Service says moisture will increase across North Georgia during the middle and latter portions of the week as another frontal boundary pushes southeastward into the region. That will provide additional opportunities for showers and thunderstorms beginning Wednesday and continuing into the fair.

At this point, however, there is no indication that the four-day fair will be a washout.

Thursday Could Bring The Best Chance For Rain

Thursday currently appears to have the greatest potential for showers and thunderstorms during the fair.

The National Weather Service expects an approaching frontal boundary and increasing moisture to produce higher rain chances across North Georgia Wednesday night into Thursday.

For the Chattooga County area, Thursday’s forecast calls for a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with partly sunny skies and a high near 88 degrees.

The forecast calls for a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 AM, followed by a chance of showers during the day and another chance of thunderstorms developing during the afternoon.

That’s particularly important because Thursday is opening day at the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair, with gates open from 5 until 10 PM.

Thursday evening currently carries about a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the earlier portion of the evening.

The forecast does not suggest continuous rainfall throughout the day. Instead, showers and thunderstorms are expected to be scattered, meaning conditions could vary considerably from one part of Northwest Georgia to another.

Still, anyone planning to attend opening night should check the latest forecast and radar before heading to the fairgrounds.

Friday Brings Lower Rain Chances

The forecast begins looking somewhat better for Friday, August 28, although scattered thunderstorms will remain possible.

Friday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 89 degrees and about a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Another 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms continues Friday night.

Fair gates will be open from 5 until 11 PM Friday.

Friday night’s musical entertainment will feature Babe’s Bayou at 9 PM, and fairgoers attending the outdoor performance will want to continue watching the weather as the day approaches.

While a scattered shower or thunderstorm remains possible, Friday currently carries a lower overall rain chance than opening day Thursday.

Saturday Currently Looking Better

Saturday, August 29, currently looks like one of the better weather days of the fair.

The forecast calls for sunny skies with a high near 90 degrees and only about a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Saturday is the longest day of the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair, with gates open from 2 until 11 PM.

With temperatures around 90 degrees, the afternoon could still be hot for people spending several hours walking the fairgrounds. Fairgoers should plan for the late-August heat, drink plenty of water and take breaks when needed.

Saturday evening’s entertainment includes The Band Chickamauga at 7 PM followed by Lone Star Skynyrd at 9 PM.

Based on the early forecast, Saturday currently offers one of the better opportunities for outdoor activities at the fair, although an isolated summertime shower or thunderstorm cannot be completely ruled out.

Sunday Forecast Still Less Certain

The fair concludes Sunday, August 30, and because Sunday is farther out in the forecast period, there is naturally more uncertainty about exact conditions.

Early indications suggest temperatures should once again remain in the upper 80s to around 90 degrees.

As the frontal boundary moves through the region and the weather pattern evolves later this week, forecasters should have a much better idea of Sunday’s rain chances.

Sunday’s fair hours are 2 until 9 PM, with The Statler Experience featuring Wilson Fairchild and Jack & Davis Reid scheduled to perform at 6 PM.

Anyone planning to attend the final day of the fair should check an updated forecast later in the week.

Not Looking Like A Fair Washout

The early forecast contains some good news for fairgoers.

While Thursday could be unsettled, rain chances currently decrease as the fair moves into Friday and Saturday. Temperatures throughout the event should remain fairly typical for late August, generally ranging from the upper 80s to around 90 during the afternoon.

The greatest concern at this point is the possibility of scattered thunderstorms, particularly around Thursday’s opening. Summer thunderstorms can produce brief heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds even when much of the surrounding area remains dry.

Because the fair includes carnival rides, livestock activities and outdoor musical entertainment, lightning would be an especially important consideration if thunderstorms develop near the fairgrounds.

Forecast confidence will also increase considerably as Thursday gets closer.

The 2026 Chattooga County Agricultural Fair runs Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, August 30, featuring carnival rides, agricultural and livestock shows, Blue Ribbon exhibits, food, demonstrations and live entertainment.

For now, the early fair forecast can be summed up this way:

Thursday: Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 88. Rain chances decrease Thursday evening.

Friday: Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 89.

Saturday: Sunny with only a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 90.

Sunday: Early outlook favors temperatures in the upper 80s to around 90, but the forecast remains less certain this far out.

WZQZ News will continue watching the forecast throughout the week and provide updated weather information as opening day approaches.