Atlanta Severe Storm Threat Shifts; Some Schools Delay Start Time A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to move through North and Central Georgia overnight, bringing damaging wind gusts, small hail, and the potential for brief tornadoes. The system will arrive as temperatures plummet by 20 to 30 degrees Thursday afternoon following the passage of a powerful cold front. Schools in Meriwether and Troup County will delay their start time by two hours due to the weather threat. The FOX 5 Storm Team warns residents to prepare for hazardous conditions, including frequent lightning, heavy rainfall, and gusts exceeding 60 mph. While the storm system will take several hours to traverse the region, heavy rain could create challenging morning commutes. The primary threats include damaging winds, a brief spin-up tornado or two, and small hail, with the highest risk concentrated in areas from Carrollton to Thomaston. Meteorologists note that the Storm Prediction Center has slightly adjusted the severe weather outlook, maintaining a Level 2 threat for regions west of Carrollton to Thomaston and a Level 1 for the rest of the area. Chief Meteorologist David Chandley highlights the potential for "twisting with those cells" as the storm line approaches the metro area, though the metro region remains under a marginal risk. The system is expected to deliver beneficial rainfall, with totals ranging from half an inch to an inch in some areas. The storm line is projected to intensify in the northwest around 2 a.m., causing significant noise but not severe conditions in that region. By 4 a.m. to 5 a.m., the focus shifts to Carrollton, Newnan, and LaGrange, where a Level 2 threat is in place. By daybreak, the storms will move east, leaving behind spotty showers.#atlanta #fox_5 #carrollton #thomaston #meriwether_county
