Atlanta, Georgia – Strong to severe thunderstorms could disrupt the evening across northern Georgia as damaging wind gusts, intense lightning, and isolated hail are expected between 4 p.m. and midnight Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, a Level 2 out of 5 risk has been issued for areas including Atlanta, Gainesville, Athens, and surrounding counties. The greatest threat is damaging wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph, with smaller chances of dime- to quarter-sized hail and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.
Residents in Gwinnett, Hall, Clarke, and DeKalb counties are urged to secure loose outdoor items and avoid unnecessary travel after dark. Brief power outages and downed limbs are possible, especially along I-85 and GA-316 corridors. Emergency managers recommend charging devices, checking weather radios, and staying indoors if thunder is heard.
While the storm threat is not widespread, isolated cells could rapidly intensify. This system follows a string of active weather days across the Southeast and marks one of the more severe setups for North Georgia this June.
Severe thunderstorm watches or warnings may be issued throughout the evening. The NWS advises staying weather-aware through midnight, when the threat is expected to taper.
