ATLANTA — An unusual severe weather outbreak is moving across the South and will move into the Southeastern states, including Georgia on Saturday.
Severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and tornadoes have been associated with this weather system across portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Louisiana, so far, and will continue to move eastward, with additional severe weather in its wake.
The 11Alive Storm Trackers are monitoring the system closely as it moves across the nation, and keeping a watchful eye ahead of any severe weather that may enter Georgia.
Western Georgia is under a level 3 threat, most of north Georgia is under a level 2 threat now. A tornado watch was issued for multiple counties in north Georgia and metro Atlanta.
Strong, gusty winds, tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and vivid lightning are all possible.
Here's when we expect to see the severe weather move into our region:
Late Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening
Strong to severe thunderstorms are moving through parts of Georgia, with the strongest storms expected to remain to the west and southwest of the city of Atlanta.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for much of northwest and parts of west Georgia, including the city of Atlanta through 9 p.m. A second watch has been issued for portions of eastern Georgia through midnight.
Strong to severe thunderstorms have been moving across the entire metro Atlanta area, bringing strong, gusty winds, heavy rainfall and vivid lightning to the region. Possible tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
Local residents should be on the lookout for the possibility of falling trees, especially those that may already be dead or weakened from prior storm events. Trees with compromised root systems may be especially vulnerable.
A Wind Advisory, not directly related to the storms, has been issued by the National Weather Service for north Georgia through 10 p.m. Saturday.
Areas in far northern Georgia have been upgraded to a High Wind Warning through 10 p.m. Saturday.
Everyone is cautioned to remove lawn or patio furniture from close to their homes as well as remove any remaining outdoor holiday ornaments that may still be on homes or in yards. Any of these items may become projectiles in high winds, and easily damage homes or personal property.
Sunday
Winds are expected to subside, and highs on Sunday are expected to remain in the low 60s. By late Sunday night and into Monday, showers are expected to develop as part of an ongoing rain system, that 11Alive Meteorologist Wes Peery says may bring up to 3-to-6 inches or rain over the course of the upcoming week.
Flood advisories may be necessary from those rains as the week progresses.
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