Thanksgiving forecast: Strong storms heading to North Georgia ahead of holiday

As we gear up for one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, the prolonged dry spell in north Georgia is about to meet its match. 

Brace yourselves, as thunderstorms and heavy rain are poised to make a grand entrance overnight Monday, ushering in a weather transformation just in time for Thanksgiving.

Monday's Prelude

Monday sets the stage with a wedge of cool air causing increasing clouds and a sprinkling of late-day showers, a prelude to the significant weather shift expected on Tuesday. Strong, gusty winds may steal the spotlight late Monday into Tuesday evening as a frontal system sweeps through the region. While severe winds aren't in the forecast, the FOX 5 Storm Team is anticipating gusts exceeding 30 mph throughout Tuesday.

Tuesday's Showdown

Monday evening's winds and a low pressure system will push a series of storms toward Georgia starting early Tuesday morning. Tuesday is a washout, with high travel impacts thanks to up to 2 inches of rain. Additionally, there is a risk of severe storms that the metro Atlanta hasn't had in a long time. The risk is a level 1, or marginal, on a scale of 1-5. The main threat would be damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph in a couple of storms (mainly from mid-morning through afternoon), but the risk of a brief tornado spinning up is not zero. Once the storms move out, cooler air moves in. Wednesday is mostly cloudy with highs in the 50s. 

Thanksgiving Eve and Day

As Thanksgiving Eve arrives, below-average temperatures settle in, promising a crisp and breezy atmosphere.

Thursday kicks off with dry temperatures in the upper 30s and lower 40s, with highs reaching only the upper 50s by afternoon. Clouds are set to increase, creating a cozy backdrop for Thanksgiving gatherings.

Black Friday Twist

While Thanksgiving is set to be cool and cloudy, Black Friday introduces a brief plot twist. A passing system will bring a round of scattered showers early on Black Friday, but fear not – drier and slightly warmer conditions are expected to filter in just in time for the weekend.

In the grand spectacle of weather leading up to Thanksgiving, Mother Nature is pulling out all the stops. So, pack your umbrella and dress in layers.