Rain, Hot Temps: Will Weather Affect July 4th In Metro Atlanta?

ATLANTA, GA — Storms are once again forecast for the metro Atlanta region this week — beginning Monday afternoon and the weather may affect Independence Day celebrations, weather officials told Patch.

Not only is rain a concern for the metro this week but so is heat, said Meredith Wyatt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office.

Wyatt added a surface boundary from last week is "draped across the area and triggering afternoon storms." Wyatt said the boundary has not left Georgia, and the metro is at a marginal risk for severe weather.

The chances for strong to severe thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday are 40-50 percent and will increase as the week progresses. Possible hazards include lightning, locally heavy rainfall and damaging winds at 40-50 mph that can knock down trees onto power lines, Wyatt said.

Though some of the storms could affect July 4 celebrations, Wyatt could not say Monday what metro locations may be impacted.

Feel like temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s Monday and Tuesday.

Wyatt warned residents to take precautions Tuesday as they celebrate Independence Day. Fireworks should not be lit if there is lightning, she said.

She advised residents celebrating on Tuesday afternoon to take breaks and seek shade. She added that people should be mindful of protecting older people, children and pets from the hot temperatures.

Gusty winds are predicted with storms Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s through the remainder of the week.

"This is normal for the metro," Wyatt said. "We’re in the south, and we get those summertime afternoon thunderstorms so certainly nothing unusual for us."

Updates will be posted to the weather service's Twitter page, the weather service's Facebook page and on its website.