The National Weather Service (NWS) provided the information below in reference to the potential for severe weather tonight into early Thursday morning.

A strong frontal system will bring the chance for strong to severe thunderstorms tonight into Thursday. Strong gradient winds ahead of the front are expected starting late this morning and continuing into the overnight hours. The heavy rain and severe weather potential will then enter east Alabama late tonight and west Georgia early morning Thursday spreading southeastward overnight. 

Main points / Highlights:

• A Wind Advisory is in effect for much of north and central Georgia beginning at 11 AM this morning and continuing through 8AM Thursday.
  • Sustained winds 15-25 mph with gusts of 35-45 mph at times can be expected. Even higher gusts may be possible in the higher elevations of far north Georgia.
• The risk for severe weather will increase (from west to east) across the area after 10 PM tonight. An ENHANCED risk (level 3 of 5) is over east Alabama up to the Alabama/Georgia state line, and a Slight risk (level 2 out out of 5) is in place for west Georgia overnight and east-central Georgia on Thursday.
• The primary threat with any severe storms that develop will be damaging wind gusts. However, a few brief tornadoes will also be possible.
• Heavy rain will accompany the line of showers and storms with widespread 0.75-1.5 inches expected.
• Stronger storms could produce locally heavier rainfall, and several fast-responding creeks and streams will likely approach flood stage in addition to an elevated threat of isolated flash flooding.