Sweltering Heat, Storms Could Foreshadow GA's Fall Season: Forecast

GEORGIA — Yes, in continuing its pattern, much of Georgia is now under another heat advisory amid predicted daily storms and ahead of what could be a warm fall season in the Peach State.

The advisory is set to last until 9 p.m. Thursday due to expected heat index values of up to 11o degrees, the National Weather Service said.

From the north to the southeast, the advisory was issued for several counties, including: Forsyth, Bartow, Cherokee, Hall, Barrow, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clarke, Oconee, Muscogee, Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, Fulton, Henry, Clayton, Rockdale and DeKalb.

The NWS noted the northeast Georgia mountains are excluded from the advisory. The high temperature for metro Atlanta was 94 degrees Thursday.

Heat indices could stay high through the weekend in north and central Georgia, the NWS said.

On the coast, a heat advisory will go into effect at noon and will expire at 8 p.m. Thursday for Chatham, Tattnall, Bryan, McIntosh, Screven, Jenkins, Candler, Bulloch, Effingham and Evans counties.

In these areas, heat index values could climb up to 111 degrees, the NWS said.

Residents are asked to remain hydrated, wear lightweight clothing and remain out of the sun, the NWS said.

Furthermore, a large portion of Georgia was placed under a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms, which could arrive daily through Wednesday.

The NWS predicted the storms could start around 2 p.m. Thursday. They could potentially produce frequent lightning, damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall.

Second Summer?

The Georgia heat, like much of the U.S., could be prelude to a warm fall. AccuWeather forecasters on Wednesday identified Georgia as one of several states to have a slow transition into autumn due to tropical impacts.

With the start of fall approaching on Sept. 22, AccuWeather said pretty much the entire U.S. is expected to feel warm.

"Outdoor projects and activities, which you would typically see winding down during the fall season, will continue well into the season for many areas," AccuWeather Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok said in a news release.

Leftovers from a summer "flash drought" in the East could sit from southern Pennsylvania through the Carolinas at fall's start ahead of potential tropical rainfall and thunderstorms, AccuWeather said.

Additionally, severe weather is expected to reach its peak in September or November in Georgia. AccuWeather said cold air could travel to the South and contend with the warm and humid air.

Severe weather could spin off tornadoes, which forecasters said have already been active this year. As of Wednesday, at least 1,400 tornadoes had been reported, AccuWeather said.

"September tornado numbers can be mainly from tropical systems impacting the U.S.," Pastelok said in the release.