Tornadoes, Power Outages Possible With Severe GA Storms: Latest Forecast

A flood watch will go into effect for several counties due to threatening storms forecast to hammer Georgia with tornadoes, hail and heavy winds Wednesday afternoon.

The storms will come after the presence of a strong cold front targeting the Southeast, the National Weather Service reported. The storms were predicted to arrive mid-morning in Georgia, but forecasters say the primary concern of flash flooding could come late afternoon.

North and central Georgia are on alert for a Level 2 slight risk of severe weather.

This means the storms could generate up to 60 mph winds and a few tornadoes. Quarter-sized hail is also possible.

"Plenty of support in the upper atmosphere and instability (storm fuel) will allow for storms to become strong to severe," the NWS stated.

The winds could take down trees and power lines, potentially causing power outages or structure damage, the NWS reported.

"The slow-moving nature of this system (and) the quick movement of storms over the same areas (i.e. 'training' thunderstorms) will also likely lead to flooding concerns in additional to the severe hazards mentioned above. Despite the ongoing drought, heavy rainfall amounts will lead to rapid runoff and increase the flash flooding risk. Travel may become hazardous," weather officials stated.

A flood watch will take effect at 4 p.m. Wednesday and will last until 8 a.m. Thursday in the following counties: Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Chattooga, Gordon, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Banks, Jackson, Polk, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Walton, Newton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Douglas, Carroll, Haralson, Newton, Heard, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, Spalding, Henry, Butts, Jasper, Troup, Meriwether, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Monroe, Harris and Talbot.

"Be sure to begin making preparations now. With the threat for severe weather and flooding extending into the overnight period (Wednesday Night/Thursday Morning), it's important to ensure you and your loved ones are taking necessary steps to be #WeatherReady," the NWS stated in a Facebook post published Tuesday.

The storms will clear out Thursday but could return Friday night and last through early next week in metro Atlanta - making way for a dreary Mother's Day weekend.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency offers online flooding and flash flooding tips.

Here is the National Weather Service's Wednesday morning forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 9 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 64. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10 a.m. High near 76. Northwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.

Monday Night: A chance of thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 75.