Snow Likely for North Georgia

Cold weather is blanketing the state and snow is likely tonight in North Georgia. The National Weather Service says areas above 2,000 feet could get up to two inches of snow overnight. And much of the northern part of the state is likely to get at least a dusting. Flurries could extend as far south as Atlanta. You can link to the National Weather Radar to the right of this page.

(Associated Press)

Frigid Weather Moves Into Georgia

The coldest weather of the season has moved into Georgia. National Weather Service forecasters say temperatures below freezing will be felt across the state the next two nights. Readings in the teens will be felt in north Georgia, single-digits in the mountains, and temperatures in the 20's for central and southern portions of the state.

Combined with winds of 10-15 mph gusting to 20 mph, areas of north Georgia will likely experience wind chills of zero degrees...or colder.

Forecasters say after daytime highs only in the 30’s and 40’s for Friday, tomorrow night's readings could be lower than what Georgia will experience tonight.

North Georgia Flood Watch: 3 PM

There is a flood watch for northwest Georgia through 6 o'clock tonight. The flood watch from the National Weather Service spans counties from Haralson to Dade county. Forecasters expect more than 2 inches to fall today in parts of north Georgia, calling it a "soaker situation." For an up-to-date look at weather in your county, you can link to the U. S Weather Radar to the right of this page.

(National Weather Service, Associated Press)

Good Dose of Rain Falls in North Georgia

North Georgia has already had a good dose of rain from the overnight hours, and more is on the way. Showers and possible thunderstorms are in the forecast for this afternoon in north and central Georgia. Forecasters say the north Georgia region could experience four or more inches of rainfall by tomorrow. To that end, a flood watch is in effect for the region well into Wednesday. Already Tuesday morning, a flood warning has been issued for the Etowah River below Dawsonville. That warning extends until late Tuesday night.

State climatologist: north Georgia needs new normal rain measure

The state’s climatologist says the way average rainfall is calculated in north Georgia may have to change because of persistent drought in the region. 50 inches of rainfall in the metro Atlanta area has long been considered normal. But University of Georgia professor David Stooksbury says for eight of the last 11 years, the region has felt less than 50 inches annually. Stooksbury says for many a reference point is the period of time from the end of World War II to the late 1970’s. He says that period was an abnormal period in climate--abnormally wet.

Augusta prepares for possible Hanna evacuees

As residents along the Atlantic coast brace for what might come with Hanna, Augusta is preparing for evacuees.

The area is prepared to take in up to 1800 evacuees from the Georgia and South Carolina coasts.

The civic center downtown, also known as the James Brown Arena, will open as a shelter at noon on Thursday.

"We'll be bringing in cots and setting up beds in that area," says Jo Maypole, director of the American Red Cross in Augusta. "We're also putting plans together to bring in meals and also counseling, emotional support."

Warren Baptist Church and Wesley United Methodist Church, in Columbia County, will serve as backup shelters.

It appears that, for now, Augusta will be spared severe weather from Hanna, say local officials.

For more information about shelters in the Augusta area, call the American Red Cross at (706) 724-8481.

Hanna watch continues

Officials at the Georgia Emergency Management headquarters in Atlanta are monitoring Hanna to see whether Georgia will be affected. Hanna has been moving slowing and changing direction throughout the day. Current prediction show that it will move towards Myrtle Beach and only effect parts of the Georgia coast. But things can change officials say.

“There are no evacuations voluntary or mandatory at this time," says Kandice Eldon, a GEMA spokesperson.
“ We want residents to still be on alert because things can still change within 24 hours. “

Eldon says equipment and manpower is on stand should the path of the storm change.

UPDATE: Tropical Storm Hanna

Tropical storm Hanna is still headed toward South Carolina. Landfall is expected Friday; however, Georgia Emergency Management Agency officials say, “Hanna’s path can still shift to Georgia.” Overnight the storm did not gain momentum, but scientists predict it will gain speed and strength. By the end of today officials should decide whether or not to issue a voluntary evacuation for coastal residents, especially those residing on the barrier islands.

'Hanna' still a threat to Georgia--UPDATE

Even with ‘Hanna’ being downgraded to a tropical storm earlier today as it moved over the Bahamas, that has not eased the focus of state emergency officials with its threat to Georgia.

Kandice Eldon with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency says 50 people from various state agencies are involved right now in preparations. They are tele- and video-conferencing with various coastal emergency officials on the latest storm plans.

Eldon says residents along Georgia’s coast need to be just as aware to the storm’s track as yesterday:

"We are not out of the clear in Georgia at all. We are still under preparation for a direct hit or even from winds and rains that can come because of the proximity of the storm to Georgia".

Eldon says coastal officals have been asking questions of those with the state:

"What should we do next? If this storm does directly hit us, what should we be planning for? Discussions are being made regarding the possibility of evacuations or if the storm is not that strong…to move the people inland”".

Some forecast models have 'Hanna' hitting Georgia’s coast on Friday.

Eldon says GEMA’s storm center as of early this afternoon was not quite at full operating mode, but is close to it.

UPDATE-'Fay' affect on southern Georgia

Tropical storm warning is in effect through Friday night for Georgia's coast.

Flash flood and flood watches in effect for southeast, south-central and southwest Georgia through Friday night.

Wind advisories are in effect for much of central and southeast Georgia through Saturday night.

Rainfall amounts across south Georgia could reach 10 inches in some areas. Wind gusts this morning have been reported to be hitting the 30 mph range.

School closings for Friday:

- Camden County schools
- Glynn County schools
- McIntosh County schools
- Valdosta city schools
- Benedictine Military School

Record highs set in some parts of Georgia Sunday

Some areas of Georgia set new record-highs on Sunday. Around the state yesterday, Athens broke a 75-year mark for June 8th with a high temperature of 101. Macon recorded a high of 100 Sunday, and Columbus felt a high of 98--both of those readings were record highs. Atlanta recorded 95-degrees, which was just a single degree off the record mark for that date. For today's forecast across the state, temperatures again are expected in the 90’s--some areas could reach near 100.

Stormy weather forces street re-closures in Atlanta

Police and fire officials in Atlanta re-closed several streets in a section of the downtown area yesterday, and many still remained closed early this morning. The reason is the possibility of falling glass and debris from some buildings in the midst of another weather system that moved through the area yesterday. Strong winds and rain hit the area Wednesday, and winds were still a concern into Thursday. Atlanta is continuing its cleanup and repair from last Friday’s destructive tornado that ripped through a six-mile section of the city.

Wind advisory for the state tonight

Most of Georgia will be under a wind advisory from tonight at 7pm, through 10am Wednesday.

The National Weather Service says winds of 20 to 30 miles-per-hour can be expected, with gusts reaching 50 mph. Forecasters say the extreme northeast corner of the state could get gusts above 50 mph.

An approaching cold front is expected to bring rain for most of north Georgia along with the high winds. Forecasters say overnight rainfall amounts should average a half to one inch before the rain ends Wednesday morning.

Warmer weather expected

There is relief in sight to Georgia’s cold snap. Forecasters say a warming trend is on its way after subfreezing temperatures that nearly covered the state. Some north Georgia communities have seen the first snow of the season, up to 2 inches in some spots. Schools in Union County at Blairsville in North Georgia have been closed due to snow. After dipping into the teens and 20s again tonight, the thermometer is expected to rise into the 40s and 50s tomorrow and the 50s and 60s on Saturday.

State gets cold weather to open '08

The New Year will bring much colder weather for the first days of the new calendar. Highs across Georgia today are expected mainly in the 30’s and 40’s for north and central portions of the state. The National Weather Service says a wind advisory is in effect for this afternoon and tonight for much of Georgia. A hard freeze is expected tonight into Wednesday morning, with the mercury settling in the mid and upper teens for much of northern Georgia.

Hot and humid hangs over Georgia

Forecasters say the hot and humid conditions are expected to hang over the state for the next few days. In many cities, the temperatures on Monday reached 100 degrees or near it. Some readings included highs of 102 in Albany, 101 in Augusta, and 100 in Athens. Atlanta reached 98 to go along with another smog alert warning. Macon residents experienced 99 degrees.

The heat index combines temperatures and humidity--those readings showed 114 in parts of southeast Georgia, and 107 at the Savannah airport.

State tightens faucet as drought worsens (Updated)

Officials ratcheted up watering restrictions from level 1 to level 2 Wednesday as dry conditions widened across the state.

Georgia residents are now allowed to water their lawns only between midnight and 10 a.m.

Violators in Jones County are subject to a graduated series of verbal and written warnings, and increasing fines in upwards of $500.

The state has been in a level 1 drought since last summer, and midday watering was already forbidden between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The state climatologist says the driest areas include Polk, Floyd, Chattooga, Walker, Dade and Catoosa counties in northwest Georgia. Also dry are the counties lining the most southeastern corner of the state.

Firefighters in southeast Georgia are struggling to contain two wildfires that are engulfing 45-sq. miles. The blazes forced over 1,000 people from their homes, and torched 14 houses.

Eric Mosley, spokesman for the Georgia Forestry Commission says the fires are threatening the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

Updated GPB reports on the fires are here.

Updated Georgia Forestry Commission Fire Weather information is here.

NASA satellite image of the area.
The original image is here.

(Rickey Bevington contributed to this report)