Georgia Weather Forecast: Air Quality Warning Then Wet This Week

ATLANTA, GA — This week's weather in metro Atlanta starts off with a warning about the air quality amidst the clouds of pollen all around us, then will bring especially stormy skies.

The state Environmental Protection Division has issued a Code Orange air quality alert for Monday, meaning that the air quality will be unsafe for sensitive groups. Children, people sensitive to ozone and people with heart or lung disease should limit their outdoor activities on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

That's especially true during the afternoon and evening, when ozone concentrations are highest. The air quality report says that ozone levels actually won't be that bad in metro Atlanta on Monday but particles (translation: pollen) will be especially bad.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

After Monday, the pollen shouldn't be as much of a problem — but that will be because constant storms and showers will be washing it away. The first thunderstorms are expected to roll into the area around 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday and, after that, there's at least a 70 percent chance of thunderstorms every day this week.

That's going to be the case all the way through the weekend, so don't plan on anything that'll keep you outside for too terribly long this week. Between the pollen on Monday and the rain after that, it's going to be a good few days to stay inside.

Here's your work-week weather forecast for metro Atlanta, from the National Weather Service:

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east around 5 m.p.h. in the afternoon. Monday night, mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 m.p.h.

Tuesday: A chance of rain and thunderstorms before 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m,. then rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind 5-10 m.p.h. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Rain likely Tuesday night and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 5-10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then occasional showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 a.m. High near 81. Southeast wind around 5 m.p.h. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Wednesday night, occasional showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Thursday: Occasional showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 80. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Thursday night, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday: Occasional showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 81. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm Friday night. Cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Photo via Shutterstock