Another hot and humid August afternoon is ahead across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected to develop as temperatures climb.

Patchy fog is possible through around 9 a.m. Friday, particularly in areas that received heavier rainfall Thursday. Skies will become partly sunny, with the afternoon high reaching around 89 degrees. The humidity will make it feel considerably warmer, with heat index values potentially reaching 97 degrees.

The chance for showers and thunderstorms increases after 11 a.m., with rain chances around 30 percent in the local forecast. While widespread severe weather is not expected, the National Weather Service says storms that develop could produce locally heavy rainfall, strong gusty winds and frequent lightning. An isolated severe thunderstorm cannot be completely ruled out.

Any storms should diminish fairly quickly Friday evening. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms remains before 8 p.m., followed by partly cloudy skies and a low around 71.

Hot Weekend With Daily Storm Chances

Saturday will be mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 90 and heat index values approaching 98 degrees. There will again be about a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the hottest part of the day.

Sunday looks similar, with mostly sunny skies, a high near 91 and a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms developing after 2 p.m.

The overall weather pattern will remain typical of summertime across the Southeast, with heat and humidity helping fuel afternoon thunderstorms each day. Plenty of moisture in the atmosphere means storms will be capable of producing very heavy rainfall over a short period of time.

Heat Could Become More Noticeable Next Week

Temperatures will remain around seasonal averages through the weekend, but increasing humidity could push heat index readings into the triple digits in portions of the region.

Forecasters say conditions could approach Heat Advisory criteria early next week, particularly farther south and east. Afternoon thunderstorms may provide some temporary relief from the hottest temperatures.

Monday and Tuesday will each bring around a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with highs around 90 to 91 degrees.

Rain and thunderstorm chances increase by the middle of next week. Showers and thunderstorms are listed as likely Wednesday and Thursday, with precipitation chances around 60 percent.

No strong signal for widespread severe weather is currently evident through the extended forecast. However, any stronger summertime thunderstorm can produce dangerous lightning, torrential rainfall and gusty winds.