NOAA Releases Summer Weather Outlook For GA, U.S.

GEORGIA — Georgia's summer forecast "leans" toward above-normal temperatures this summer, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's newly released seasonal outlook.

The forecasters say conditions support elevated odds for above-normal temperatures for the southern Plains, Gulf coast and Southeast, a prediction that earlier seasonal forecasts have also shared.

Precipitation is likely to be above-normal each month across the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic states, and south through the Carolinas, Georgia and as far south as the Tampa Bay area in Florida.

Some weather forecasters have called for an "explosive" hurricane season in the Atlantic, which could affect Georgia. NOAA will issue its outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season on Thursday, May 23, and offer guidance on how the public can prepare for hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1.

How steamy it will feel like outside is determined by the Heat Index, which is calculated with the air temperature and humidity. A heat index calculator is available at noaa.gov.

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency said signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale and clammy skin, a thready pulse, and possible fainting/vomiting.

Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency that happens when the body temperature reaches 106 degrees or higher. Symptoms include hot dry skin, rapid and strong pulse, and possible unconsciousness. This more serious condition requires immediate medical attention.

Here are some tips to prepare for severe heat:

• Check that your home's cooling system is working properly.
• Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep the cool air inside.
• Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
• Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
• Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
• Keep windows covered with shades, drapes, or temporary reflectors.

Here are some tips for coping with extreme heat:

• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Drink plenty of fluids and replace salts and minerals in your body.
• Limit your consumption of alcoholic drinks.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Protect your face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• Spend time in air-conditioned places. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spend some time each day in an air-conditioned environment such as public libraries, shopping malls or other indoor public spaces.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.

Georgia has a 40 to 50 percent chance to see "above-normal" precipitation this summer.

Here's the National Weather Service forecast for the Atlanta area for the next seven days:

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am and 5am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5am. Low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a chance of showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night: A chance of thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.