The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair opens today, and the weather may require fairgoers to keep an eye on the sky.

The fair opens at 5 PM, and the latest forecast indicates scattered thunderstorms will be possible during the afternoon and into the early evening. Rain chances are highest around opening time and should gradually decrease as the evening goes on. The National Weather Service says storms today could produce brief heavy rainfall, and isolated flash flooding is possible where the heaviest rain develops.

The good news is that this does not look like an all-evening washout. Thunderstorms will be scattered, meaning some locations could receive a downpour while nearby areas receive little or no rain. Conditions should generally improve later this evening, although an isolated shower or storm will remain possible.

Temperatures will be warm and humid, but should become more comfortable after sunset.

Anyone heading to opening night should check radar before leaving home and be prepared for a passing shower or thunderstorm. Lightning would be the biggest concern for outdoor fair activities if a storm moves over the fairgrounds.

The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair is open 5 until 10 PM tonight, with free admission for students and $25 unlimited-ride armbands on opening night.

Bottom line: Don’t cancel your fair plans, but take an umbrella and keep an eye on the radar. The greatest weather concern appears to be around opening time, with rain chances trending downward through the evening.

Today
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 97. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Friday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Sunday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Sunday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Monday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 71.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Tuesday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 93.