Severe Thunderstorm Watch canceled for most of north Georgia, severe threat weakens overnight
ATLANTA - The FOX 5 Storm Team continues to track possible severe thunderstorms developing into Saturday night.
Saturday was expected to be wet and stormy across north Georgia with some of those storms having the potential of turning severe.
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for several counties throughout metro Atlanta and across some parts of north Georgia shortly before 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The following counties are included in the severe thunderstorm watch: Bartow County, Carroll County, Cherokee County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Coweta County, DeKalb County, Douglas County, Fayette County, Forsyth County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Paulding County, Polk County, Spalding County, Upson County, Rockdale County, Butts County, Newton County, Walton County, Paulding County, Haralson County, Meriwether County, Lamar County, Heard County.
The watch expired at 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Multiple counties across north Georgia and west Georgia were issued severe thunderstorm warnings throughout Saturday evening as well. The warnings increase the threat for hail.
The clouds began Friday night and increased the rain chance to around 60 percent. North Georgia was expected to see a quarter and a half an inch of rain overnight.
A line of rain and thunderstorms moved in around sunrise as a warm front lifted in our direction. The trailing cold front for the afternoon increased the risk of severe storms.
A Level 2 Risk was in place from a line south of Rome, Canton, and Gainesville. Just a Marginal Risk above that same line.
The main threat on Saturday was from damaging straight-line winds, hail, and the chance for an isolated tornado.
The National Weather Service reported that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport recorded a 76 mph wind gust as the storm swept through the airport.
However, shortly after 9:30 p.m. many of the severe thunderstorm watches throughout metro Atlanta were canceled.
After the first wave of heavy rains, there was a lull with a second round popping up during the afternoon through around 7 p.m.
Overnight Saturday, the risk of severe weather is expected to continue to weaken.
The FOX 5 Storm Team is watching the possibility of stronger storms to the south and a stabilizing influence from rain-cooled air from the morning rain may keep the area’s severe weather to a minimum.
The rain, despite falling on the weekend, is a very welcome sight with April being a very dry month. Less than a half-inch of rain has fallen in metro Atlanta during only four days so far this month. A typical month sees more than three times that amount spread over about 11 days.
Rain fall totals from this system should be between an inch to two and a half inches.
The rain chance diminishes into the overnight hours and vanishes after sunrise Sunday with highs near 73. And the forecast is on track for highs in the 80s for the middle of next week.
Keep up with the latest by downloading the FREE FOX 5 Storm Team app and following @FOX5StormTeam on Twitter.
WATCH: FOX 5 Atlanta live news coverage
_____
Sign up for FOX 5 email alerts
Download the FOX 5 Atlanta app for breaking news and weather alerts.