Atlanta, GA – Severe thunderstorms could rattle much of northern and central Georgia through 9 p.m. Saturday, with the potential for damaging winds, large hail, and dangerous lightning across 61 counties including Metro Atlanta.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch (No. 386) is in effect until 9 p.m. EDT for a wide swath of the state—from Dade and Whitfield counties in the northwest to Baldwin and Wilkes in central and eastern Georgia. Key population centers under the watch include Atlanta, Athens, Gainesville, Rome, and Carrollton.
Residents in Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb counties should prepare for fast-moving storms that could down trees and power lines. Frequent lightning and hail up to quarter-size are also possible. Emergency managers advise staying indoors and avoiding travel unless necessary.
Roads like I-75, I-85, and GA-400 may see sudden slick conditions, especially during the evening commute. Utility crews across the region are on standby for outages.
This is the first widespread severe weather watch for Georgia in June, a month that often brings isolated but intense summer storms.
The watch remains in effect until 9 p.m., with additional warnings possible depending on storm development.
