Tropical storm warning issued for north Georgia as Zeta strengthens

Zeta bringing potentially severe weather to Georgia overnight (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Georgia as Hurricane Zeta strengthens in the Gulf.

Zeta is now a Category 1 Hurricane. The storm is expected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast later in the day.

A tropical storm warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected in parts of north Georgia.

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Zeta bringing potentially severe weather to Georgia overnight (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Winds of 30-40 mph with gusts of up to 55 mph are possible early Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. There is also the risk of flooding and possible weak tornadoes.

As of 8 a.m., the storm has sustained winds at 90 mph. It is moving north-northwest at 17 mph.

Georgia could experience torrential rain, damaging wind gusts in excess of 44 mph and even tornadoes later tonight.

Several metro Atlanta counties along Zeta’s predicted track were under a tropical storm watch Wednesday morning, which has not been issued locally since Irma and Nate during the 2017 hurricane season.

Zeta bringing potentially severe weather to Georgia overnight (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Ahead of the storm, scattered showers and downpours will continue Wednesday, but it is not likely to rain all day.

A flash flood watch goes into effect at 8 a.m. for all of North Georgia, according to the National Weather Service. The watch is scheduled to expire Thursday evening.

Here’s more on what to know for Thursday:

  • Much of north Georgia is under tropical storm warning and a flash flood watch
  • Tropical storm force winds, heavy rain and flooding come with system
  • Isolated weak tornadoes are possible into Thursday morning

Zeta: Remnants of storm expected to move through Georgia overnight (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Zeta is expected to make landfall along the southeast Louisiana coast later Wednesday. As it moves across Alabama, it will likely weaken to a tropical storm before it arrives in Georgia early Thursday morning.

Those north of I-20 will see the most impacts from the system. Up to four inches of rain could fall on the Northside by the end of the day Thursday.

According to WSB’s Storm Center experts, Zeta will be rough on Georgia, but it will be brief.

By Friday, it’s all over. North Georgia will be dry with mild temperatures in the mid-60s in time for Halloween festivities Saturday, according to the latest forecast.

>>Read more and follow live updates on AJC.com.