


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Atlanta, GA
Issued by NWS Atlanta, GA
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468 FXUS62 KFFC 201035 AAA AFDFFC Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 635 AM EDT Sun Jul 20 2025 ...New 12Z Aviation Discussion... .SHORT TERM... (Today through Monday) Issued at 350 AM EDT Sun Jul 20 2025 Key Messages: - Isolated to scattered thunderstorms expected in the afternoon and evening both days. - Heat and humidity typical of summertime persist, with the possibility of a Heat Advisory tomorrow (Monday). Discussion: The Southeast -- including Georgia -- remains within the grasp of a subtropical ridge. Amid this ridge is a soupy airmass, characterized by PWAT values of 1.7" to 2.2". This moist environment coupled with daytime heating and destabilization will support isolated showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The isolated nature of convection means that portions of north and central Georgia may end up not seeing any rain. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has a Slight Risk (level 2 out of 4) for heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding across northeast Georgia, with much of the rest of north Georgia under a Marginal Risk (level 1 out of 4). Near-surface soil moisture is most saturated across the higher terrain of northeast Georgia and orographic lift could focus convection -- both of which warranting the Slight Risk. A few strong storms with torrential downpours and gusty winds will be possible. Heat index values will range from the upper 90s to just shy of 105 degrees across much of the forecast area. The subtropical ridge will not be going anywhere tomorrow, nor will the tropical airmass beneath it. As such, another day of diurnally-driven isolated to scattered showers and storms is in store. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has outlined portions of north and central Georgia in a Marginal Risk (level 1 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms posing a risk for damaging wind gusts at 50-60 mph. Additionally, WPC has the entire forecast area outlined in a Marginal Risk for heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding. Low-lying/flood-prone areas and urban areas will be most vulnerable to heavy rainfall from strong and/or persistent storms. Temperatures are progged to peak in the mid-90s to around 100 degrees tomorrow afternoon across portions of central and eastern Georgia, with dew points in the mid-70s. The result will be heat index values reaching 105 to 108 degrees. Unless we become confident that cloud cover and/or rainfall will prevent heat index values from rising this much, a Heat Advisory will likely be needed. Martin && .LONG TERM... (Monday night through Saturday) Issued at 350 AM EDT Sun Jul 20 2025 Key Messages: - Very hot and humid conditions expected areawide Tuesday. Heat Advisory issuance is possible for portions of the area. - Chances for showers and thunderstorms each afternoon through the extended, with greatest coverage Tuesday to Wednesday. Discussion: Much of the sensible weather in the extended range will be governed by a mid-level subtropical ridge parked atop the Southeast. A pocket of deep moisture rotating around the eastern edge of the aforementioned ridge will support the development of diurnal showers and storms -- likely to exceed "typical" summertime afternoon coverage as it settles into the forecast area proper by midweek. Coincident with the arrival of best moisture throughout the column, a lobe of surface high pressure slides into place across New England Tuesday into Wednesday. As it does so, a backdoor cold front is pushed southwestward along the expanding U-shaped isobars that characterize the wedge. Thunderstorms are likely to quasi-organize along the advancing front, potentially resulting in an east-to-west storm motion that is anomalous for our area. Global model guidance suggests comparatively drier air will be ushered in aloft in the wake of our midweek convective peak -- not enough to completely scour out chances for thunderstorms, but enough to bring them back down to the low-end chance range (20-40%) for much of the area from Wednesday on. As the frontal energy settles along the northern Gulf, some semblance of a baroclinic zone is likely to linger for the remainder of the week, resulting in higher PoPs (40-60%) along our far southern tier/in closest proximity to best remnant forcing. Highs Tuesday will be in the mid-to-upper 90s for all bur far northeast Georgia, which will remain in the 80s. Combined with dewpoints progged to surge into the mid-70s and perhaps higher, heat index values are likely to eclipse 105 degrees for large swaths of the area. Heat Advisory issuance will likely be necessary Tuesday. For Wednesday through Friday, drier air post- front will allow dewpoints to drop into the mid-60s to lower-70s, supporting a brief reprieve from truly oppressive humidity. With highs expected to remain in the lower 90s, this forecaster wouldn`t call it a pleasant latter half of the week, but it will certainly be slightly more seasonable. Moisture looks to rebound moving into next weekend, and heat index values will likely creep back into the triple digits. 96 && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 625 AM EDT Sun Jul 20 2025 A low-VFR cloud deck (~3.5 kft to ~4.5 kft) has developed over metro Atlanta. This deck is struggling to drop lower, but given the development of MVFR CIGs right before sunrise the last two mornings, have opted for a TEMPO until 14z for MVFR CIGs. After the morning clouds scatter, a Cu field will develop and stick around through the afternoon. Maintaining a PROB30 at ATL and the other metro sites for -TSRA after 18z. Still have just VCSH at MCN and CSG. Winds will be west at 5-10 kts with gusts to ~20 kts. //ATL Confidence...12Z Update... Medium confidence on coverage of afternoon storms. High confidence on all other elements. Martin && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 94 75 97 75 / 10 10 30 10 Atlanta 92 77 94 77 / 30 10 30 10 Blairsville 87 68 89 68 / 30 20 50 20 Cartersville 92 73 95 73 / 30 20 40 10 Columbus 95 77 96 77 / 20 10 30 10 Gainesville 92 75 95 74 / 10 10 30 10 Macon 96 77 96 76 / 20 10 30 10 Rome 92 73 94 73 / 30 20 40 10 Peachtree City 93 73 94 74 / 30 10 30 10 Vidalia 97 78 98 78 / 20 20 40 20 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Martin LONG TERM....96 AVIATION...Martin