Georgia Memorial Day Weather Forecast: Storms, rain could dampen holiday

Hazardous weather forecasts were in effect Thursday across much of the state, as rain threatens to dampen Memorial Day celebrations.

May 23, 2024, 12:37 p.m. EDT

ATLANTA, GA — Depending on what you have planned for the upcoming three-day Memorial Day weekend, long considered the unofficial start of summer, you may need to plan around Georgia’s unpredictable weather .

Some parts of the country will continue to avoid storms and others will be hot and muggy, private weather company AccuWeather said Monday in its Memorial Day weekend forecast.

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In Georgia, scattered thunderstorms are expected each day, Thursday through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Hazardous weather forecasts were in effect Thursday for the majority of the state, according to the NWS. In its latest forecast, the NWS said scattered thunderstorms were expected Thursday in parts of northern Georgia. A few storms Thursday afternoon and evening could become strong to severe and could produce gusty winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rain.

Scattered thunderstorms are also expected Friday through Tuesday, with the greatest potential for storms in areas of northern Georgia, forecasters said. A few storms Saturday and Sunday afternoon could be violent.

Overnight Sunday into Monday, forecasters said strong to severe thunderstorms could become more organized and more numerous before a cold front arrives in the state.

In the Atlanta area, temperatures will remain in the 80s through the weekend and could reach 90 degrees on Sunday.

Here’s a look at NWS Atlanta’s detailed forecast for Memorial Day weekend:

THURSDAY: Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Thursday evening: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night: 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

SATURDAY: Slight risk of showers, then risk of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday night: Risk of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then slight risk of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Sunday night: 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Remembrance Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

Some 43.8 million Americans are expected to travel to celebrate Memorial Day. Here’s a look at what they can expect, according to AccuWeather:

Areas of the central United States hit by strong storms and heavy rain likely won’t get much relief, according to AccuWeather forecasters. Travel could be affected by heavy rain associated with these storms, which tend to produce high winds, hail and flooding.

“While not every day will be a disaster everywhere and some places will be lucky not to experience thunderstorms Saturday through Monday, some areas will experience repeated flooding in the Plains states,” said Renee Duff, meteorologist AccuWeather main page. in the forecasts.

The Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes could see showers and thunderstorms through the weekend, with storms moving northeast and southeast by Monday and potentially disrupting memorial services and funerals. outdoor dining.

Temperatures are expected to be quite pleasant across the Mid-Atlantic states, with highs in the 80s, 70s and even 60s at times during the holiday weekend.

In parts of Texas, from the Gulf Coast to the desert southwest, temperatures are expected to reach the 90s or higher.