GEMA Weather Outlook for Monday, January 6, 2009:


The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for the threat of severe thunderstorms in Georgia today.

Forecast:

A powerful upper-level weather system and a now stalled surface cold front will combine today to produce strong thunderstorms (within the area bounded by the brown line) and possibly severe thunderstorms (area bounded by the green line which represents the Slight Risk area) in Georgia today. The cold front which is stretches from eastern Louisiana to extreme northern Georgia will be the focus for thunderstorm activity today and tonight.

Significant rainfall totals will be possible today and tonight in northern Georgia. Accordingly, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flood Watch for counties in northern Georgia. Flooding is most likely north of a line from Buchanan to Atlanta to Cleveland. Flood Warnings have already been issued for the following counties: Cherokee, Gilmer, Pickens, Bartow, Chattooga, Floyd, and Gordon.

The potential for severe thunderstorms in Georgia will be greatest this evening and late tonight. GEMA Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 reside within the Slight Risk area and the most likely locations to have severe weather this evening reside south and west of a line from Rome to Lawrenceville to Americus. The primary threat posed by thunderstorms that become severe will be locally damaging straightline winds; however, a brief isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

Extended Weather Outlook:  

No significant severe weather is forecast to affect Georgia during the next week.