Hail and Winds Hit Georgia Storms

The National Weather Service said multiple rounds of rain and thunderstorms were expected across north and central Georgia through Monday evening, bringing risks of hail, damaging wind gusts and localized flash flooding. Memorial Day storms followed several days of soaking rain that had already flooded parts of metro Atlanta, including the Downtown Connector last week. Forecasters said the most immediate concern on Monday was heavy rainfall, but some storms could also produce strong wind gusts. The unsettled pattern was expected to continue beyond the holiday. ### Where were the biggest concerns in Georgia on Memorial Day? North Georgia and the Atlanta metro were at the center of the Monday threat, according to the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City. The agency said an anomalously moist air mass over north Georgia could support rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, increasing the chance of localized flash flooding. The Weather Service said Memorial Day would bring “more widespread diurnally-enhanced convection” with continued risks for heavy rain, localized flash flooding and locally strong wind gusts. (weather.gov) It said any outdoor Memorial Day plans should have an indoor backup, especially during the afternoon and evening. ### Why were forecasters focused on flooding as well as hail and wind? (weather.gov) Atlanta had already seen how quickly heavy rain could shut down major roads. On May 20, flash flooding stranded motorists on Interstate 75 near the Baker Street overpass on the Downtown Connector, and traffic was blocked from about 5 p.m. until just before 6:30 p.m., according to FOX 5 Atlanta, citing Georgia Department of Transportation cameras and emergency responders. (forecast.weather.gov) The National Weather Service said repeated storms over the same areas could push rainfall totals above 3 inches in parts of north Georgia. In its forecast discussion issued Sunday morning, the agency said training storms or storms that anchor over one location could produce localized flash flooding. ### What did forecasters say about hail and damaging winds? (fox5atlanta.com) The National Weather Service said a few strong to severe thunderstorms remained possible, capable of producing localized damaging wind gusts. Its hazardous weather messaging for north and central Georgia said several storms could become severe, especially across north Georgia and the Atlanta metro, with damaging wind gusts the main threat. (weather.gov) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported earlier in the week that the Weather Service had warned of “damaging winds, large hail, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rain” with scattered storms moving into parts of Middle and North Georgia. FOX 5 Atlanta also reported that damaging wind gusts were the primary severe concern as saturated ground increased the chance that trees could fall. (forecast.weather.gov) ### What was driving this stretch of storms? The National Weather Service said deep southwest flow had locked an unsettled pattern over Georgia through the holiday weekend and into the week ahead. In its Sunday forecast discussion, the agency said widespread showers and thunderstorms were expected to increase in coverage with daytime heating, while very moist air with dew points in the 70s and precipitable water near 2 inches supported heavy rainfall. (ajc.com) FOX 5 Atlanta said continuous moisture streaming in from the Southwest was helping trigger multiple rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms over several days. That setup, the station said, raised the risk of both urban flooding and tree damage in saturated areas. ### How long was the threat expected to last? The National Weather Service said scattered thunderstorms would continue through Monday evening, and its longer-range forecast called for wet conditions to continue through the week ahead. (forecast.weather.gov) The Weather Prediction Center’s national hazards page also showed a slight excessive-rainfall risk on May 25 and May 26. The next updates were set to come from the National Weather Service’s Atlanta/Peachtree City office through its forecast, hazardous weather outlook and warning pages as storms moved across north and central Georgia on Monday. (fox5atlanta.com) (weather.gov)