Heavy Rain, Gusty Winds on the Way Thursday

A storm system strengthening over the Central U.S. is moving east, bringing the potential for heavy rain and gusty winds to Metro Atlanta on Thursday.

While light rain showers are expected Thursday morning, the heaviest rain will move through Metro Atlanta between 11am and 2pm Thursday afternoon.

As heavy as the rain will be at times, it will swiftly move through North Georgia, producing as much as 0.5″ to 1.5″ of rain before the heaviest bands exit the region.

In addition to the rain, the storm system will generate strong surface winds, which have the potential to gust as high as 20-30 mph in Metro Atlanta, up to 40 mph in the North Georgia mountains. The National Weather Service in Atlanta has issued a Wind Advisory for North Georgia through 6pm Thursday.

Heaviest rain limited to Thursday, clouds and breezy conditions linger through the weekend

The system responsible for the heavy rain and wind Thursday will close off from the upper level steering currents, becoming a closed low that will spin over the Southeast Thursday evening and into the weekend.

As a result, cloudy, breezy conditions will prevail over the weekend, with light rain showers and drizzle impacting Metro Atlanta not just Thursday evening, but through Friday and Saturday as well.