Georgiacould face a tornadothreat this weekend as Hurricane Isaias moves toward the Gulf Coast, with forecasters warning that tornadoes are possible across parts of the state.
The National Weather Service in Peachtree City said Thursday that confidence and concerns are increasing for strong winds, heavy rainfall and tornadoes from Friday evening through early Sunday as Isaias approaches.
The latest forecast has Isaias tracking north and east before making landfall somewhere along the northern Gulf Coast. The National Weather Service said that track would place north and central Georgia on the eastern side of the storm, where tornadoes will be among the possible impacts.
Isaias could bring tornadoes to Georgia
Tornadoes can occur with tropical systems, and the NWS said the front-right
quadrant of tropical storms and hurricanes generally has the greatest potential for tornadoes.
Because Isaias is expected to track west of Georgia, the storm's setup could create conditions favorable for tornadoes in parts of the state.
The NWS said tornadoes could be possible especially along the wedge boundary and outside the cooler, stable wedge air mass.
That means the tornado threat will not necessarily be the same across all of Georgia. The exact areas at greatest risk will depend on the storm's eventual track and the evolving weather setup.
When could Georgia see the tornado threat?
The National Weather Service expects conditions to remain mostly dry through much of Friday before weather begins to deteriorate.
Rain will spread northward late Friday, with the bulk of the rainfall expected Friday night. The agency says the potential for strong winds, heavy rain and tornadoes will increase from Friday evening through early Sunday as Hurricane Isaias approaches and moves inland.
Is all of Georgia at risk?
The forecast does not indicate that every part of Georgia will experience a tornado.
Instead, the NWS says tornadoes are a possibility across parts of its forecast area, particularly in relation to the wedge boundary and areas outside the stable wedge air mass.
The exact threat could change as Isaias gets closer and forecasters have more confidence in its track.
As of now, that appears to be the western-to-middle portions of the state.
Residents should continue monitoring updates and be prepared to act quickly if a tornado warning is issued.
What Georgia should watch this weekend
The tornado threat is one part of a broader weather system expected to affect Georgia.
The NWS is also forecasting strong winds and widespread rainfall, with localized flash or river flooding possible if persistent rainbands move over an area.
The agency's current forecast calls for widespread rainfall of about 2 to 3 inches through the weekend, although heavier amounts could develop in localized areas.
For now, forecasters are emphasizing that the weather threat will increase from Friday evening into early Sunday as Isaias approaches and moves inland.
Weather forecast
- Athens: Rain chances increase Friday night, with a 90% chance of showers Saturday and possible thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Saturday could reach 69 degrees, with wind gusts up to 35 mph. Rain and possible thunderstorms continue Saturday night, with showers likely into Sunday.
- Savannah: Showers and possible thunderstorms begin Friday night, with an 80% chance of rain. Saturday brings a 100% chance of showers, possible thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 33 mph, with 1 to 2 inches of rain possible. Rain and thunderstorms remain possible Sunday.
- Augusta: Rain chances increase Friday night before a 100% chance of showers Saturday, when thunderstorms are also possible. Saturday could reach 76 degrees, with wind gusts up to 30 mph and up to three-quarters of an inch of rain possible. Another 1 to 2 inches could fall Saturday night.
- Blue Ridge: Showers become likely Friday night, followed by a 90% chance of rain Saturday and wind gusts up to 35 mph. Showers and possible thunderstorms continue through Sunday, with an 80% chance of precipitation Sunday.
Georgia radar
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Will Hurricane Isaias bring tornadoes to Georgia this weekend?
