Hot and humid conditions will continue across Chattooga County and northwest Georgia through the weekend, with scattered afternoon thunderstorms providing only temporary relief from the heat.
Residents of Chattooga County and northwest Georgia can expect another unsettled day of weather Tuesday as a slow-moving weather system continues to bring widespread showers and thunderstorms across the region. While the soaking rainfall has helped ease the recent stretch of extreme heat, forecasters say the pattern will gradually transition back to typical summertime conditions later this week, with temperatures climbing into the 90s and heat index values once again approaching or exceeding 100 degrees.
Those planning to celebrate Independence Day outdoors across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia should prepare for another day of dangerous heat, with only a slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.
Today will be sunny and very hot with a high near 96 degrees. Heat index values are expected to climb as high as 102 degrees during the afternoon. While an isolated shower or thunderstorm could develop after 2 p.m., mainly along the Alabama state line and in parts of far northwest Georgia, most communities are expected to remain dry through much of the day. A few additional thunderstorms will be possible Saturday evening before skies become partly cloudy overnight.
The National Weather Service says heat remains the biggest concern. “Feels like” temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees by around 10 a.m. and may not fall below that level until nearly 11 p.m., making it uncomfortably hot even after sunset. Anyone attending parades, cookouts, ballgames, fireworks displays, or other outdoor events should drink plenty of water, take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning, wear light-colored clothing, and check on children, older adults, and pets.
Rain chances increase beginning Sunday as the weather pattern becomes more typical for early July. Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms are expected Sunday through at least Friday, with daily rain chances ranging from 40 to 60 percent. High temperatures will ease slightly into the lower 90s by early next week, but humidity will keep heat index values in the upper 90s to around 100 degrees each afternoon.
Anyone spending time outdoors over the holiday weekend should continue to monitor the forecast, especially if thunderstorms develop later in the weekend.
Independence Day
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 102. Calm wind.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Sunday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 101. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday
A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Thursday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Friday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
The Georgia Department of Public Health is reminding Georgians and visitors to stay safe and healthy while celebrating the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The dangerous heat that’s been building across Northwest Georgia will continue today and through the Independence Day holiday, with a Heat Advisory remaining in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday. An Excessive Heat Warning also continues for parts of northwest Georgia.
Dangerous and potentially life-threatening heat is expected across Chattooga County and much of Northwest Georgia today as an Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect from noon until 8 p.m.
Another stretch of dangerous summer heat is settling over Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia today, with a Heat Advisory in effect from noon until 8 p.m. for portions of north Georgia. Afternoon temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 90s, while heat index values could reach 105 degrees in parts of the area.
A prolonged stretch of dangerous summer heat will continue across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia through the Independence Day weekend, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s and heat index values frequently topping 100 degrees.
With dangerous heat and heat index values climbing above 100 degrees across Northwest Georgia, veterinarians and agricultural experts are urging pet owners and livestock producers to take extra precautions to protect animals from heat-related illness.
A dangerous stretch of summer heat is expected to settle across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia this week as temperatures climb into the upper 90s and heat index values soar into the triple digits.
Today will be sunny with a high near 96 degrees, but high humidity will make it feel closer to 102 degrees during the afternoon. While the Heat Advisory remains focused farther south and east, residents across Northwest Georgia should still take precautions against the heat by staying hydrated, limiting strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and checking on elderly neighbors and those without adequate air conditioning.
Tonight will be clear with a low around 76, offering little relief from the heat. Tuesday will be nearly identical, with another sunny day, a high near 96, and heat index values reaching 103 degrees.
The hottest weather of the week is expected Wednesday through Friday, when afternoon highs climb to 97 degrees. Combined with the humidity, heat index values above 100 degrees will be common each day, and some locations across Georgia could experience heat index values exceeding 105 degrees. Additional Heat Advisories may be issued as the week progresses.
While high pressure will dominate the weather pattern, isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms remain possible throughout the week. Rain chances stay relatively low, generally between 20 and 30 percent, but any storm that develops could produce frequent lightning, heavy downpours, and gusty winds.
Looking ahead to the Independence Day holiday, Saturday is expected to be hot and mostly sunny with a high near 96 degrees and a 30 percent chance of afternoon or evening thunderstorms. Shower and thunderstorm chances increase to around 40 percent by Sunday as moisture gradually returns to the region.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 102. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Monday Night
Clear, with a low around 76. Calm wind.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 103. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Calm wind.
Wednesday
Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Thursday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Friday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 75.
Independence Day
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.