Potential Tropical Storm Could Target GA, Southeast Coast: Forecasters

GEORGIA — With hurricane season underway near the Atlantic Ocean, meteorologists surmise a potential tropical storm could target Georgia and other southeastern states as early as Friday.

Showers and thunderstorms positioned over the Bahamas are expected to charge toward the Georgia, northern Florida and Carolina coast as a tropical rainstorm, AccuWeather predicted.

The storm could possibly become a tropical depression, a step down from from a tropical storm, forecasters said. Required criteria for a tropical depression includes a closed circulation of 38 mph or less winds, forecasters said.

The storm system's center was anticipated to arrive by Friday afternoon to the southeastern U.S. shore, AccuWeather reported.

"Regardless of development, this feature will bring building seas, gusty winds and areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms to the southeast U.S. coast," AccuWeather Meteorologist Andrew Kienzle said in a news release.

Rip currents could stretch from the east-central Florida coast to North Carolina, and with weekend flash flooding possible with the storms, AccuWeather reported the rains could help with any drought conditions. This includes parts of central and southern Florida, which AccuWeather said has been experiencing moderate to severe drought.

As for Saturday, coastal residents could expect at least an inch or more of rain, forecasters said.

AccuWeather predicted 1-2 inches of rain for areas in northern Florida to southern Georgia and the Carolina coast, as well as 2-4 inches of rain near and north of where the center could land ashore. In the area of heavier rainfall, totals could reach 7 inches.

"Within the heavier rain bands, localized flash flooding can occur," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said in the release. "Most of the rain from this system will fall north of the tropical rainstorm that hit (Florida) late last week, so aside from the localized flood risk, the storm may bring beneficial rain to some locations."

As the system moves toward the northwest, forecasters said wind gusts could climb to 25-35 mph in coming days. AccuWeather advised boaters and mariners use caution when traveling and said they should be prepared to alter plans.

If developments continue, AccuWeather said the next Atlantic storm name on the list is Beryl.

"Landfalling tropical systems such as this, even if unnamed, can bring a few tornadoes and waterspouts," Sosnowski said in the release.

In Georgia, the National Weather Service predicted isolated thunderstorms Friday afternoon through the evening for areas south and east of Macon. The storms are not expected to be strong or severe, weather officials said.

Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for metro Atlanta and surrounding counties through Thursday. The weather service said the most significant chances for storms are Tuesday-Thursday.

Potential hazards include heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds, weather officials said.

In addition to possible storms, the weather service said extreme heat could arise in parts of Georgia. Heat index values are expected to be around or more than 100 degrees Saturday-Thursday.

Temperatures in coming days could linger in the high 90s, possibly reaching 98 degrees by Tuesday, according to the forecast.

This coincides with temperatures in the rest of the Southeast, where other states could feel temperatures in the 80s to mid-90s Friday into the weekend, AccuWeather reported.

Jacksonville and Orlando, both in Florida, are some of the southern cities where temperatures could reach the 90s, AccuWeather reported.

"However, this is not entirely out of the ordinary, as temperatures in the lower 90s are typical for mid-June for this area of the country. By early next week, daytime highs in the 90s will continue to be the norm for locations across the Southeast. Any rain and tropical moisture that may push inland could help to provide brief relief from the heat for residents in the area," AccuWeather said.