Thanksgiving Plans in Atlanta: Will Weather Play Spoiler?
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, folks all over Atlanta are warming up their ovens and preparing to gather with friends and family. But Mother Nature may have other plans! An impending cold front is marching its way through north Georgia and promises to bring along some wild weather right when everyone is set to break bread.
What to Expect This Week
According to the latest chatter from weather experts, the chance of storms has ramped up significantly for Wednesday night. As that cold front sweeps in early Thursday morning, it’s expected to roll through metro Atlanta and central Georgia by Thursday afternoon. Several counties, including Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Cherokee, are on high alert according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by the local weather service.
It looks like a rainy Thanksgiving is in the cards with most of the state under a Level 1 marginal risk for isolated severe storms. So, if you’re thinking about firing up the grill for that turkey, you might want to reconsider. The region could see rainfall that lifts the water levels to less than an inch overall. Not too bad, right? Well, hold on—those storms could bring some heavy downpours! Expect the rain to start falling in areas north of Interstate 85 between 5 a.m. and noon, with potential thunderstorm activity rolling through central Georgia from noon to around 4 p.m.
Severe Weather Warnings
Keeping it light for the holiday—there’s a chance we might see some strong storms, which could throw wind gusts that may knock things over. There’s even a possibility of tornadoes, although weather officials emphasized that these would likely be weak and brief. It’s safe to say you may want to keep that umbrella handy, just in case!
But that’s not all folks—isolated hail up to 1 inch could also make a cameo appearance during the thunderstorms. Yikes! So, if you’re planning to make a run to the grocery store or the park before dinner, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on the skies.
Your Thanksgiving Day Forecast
Alright, let’s talk about *Thanksgiving Day*! Here’s how the forecast is shaping up:
- Wednesday: Partly sunny with a high reaching around 64 degrees. Enjoy the calm before the storm! South winds around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Expect showers to likely sweep in mainly after 2 a.m. with a low around 54. That’s when you should set some water jugs outside for “rain check” drinks!
- Thanksgiving Day: A mix of showers and thunderstorms swirling around before 4 p.m. The temperature will hover near 64 by noon and drop to around 56 as the day unfolds. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph!
- Thursday Night: More cloudy skies with a cooler low of around 38. A perfect time to cozy up with some pumpkin pie.
- Friday: Sunny but chilly, with a high near 50. Time to take a deep breath and enjoy that post-feast, fresh air!
And Friday night, temperatures will dip to around 29 degrees! Definitely time to pull out the sweaters!
Weekend Outlook
Don’t fret if the week started off rocky—the weekend is looking bright! Expect sunny skies with highs hovering around the upper 40s to low 50s. Perfect weather for a family stroll or maybe even planning a second Thanksgiving with leftovers!
Stay Prepared
As the holidays approach, it’s essential to keep your plans flexible. Make sure to have an emergency plan where storms might interfere with your festivities. Be sure to check in on your elderly neighbors, too—they might need an extra hand with the nasty weather approaching.
So, Atlanta, get ready for some unpredictable weather this Thanksgiving—but remember, no storm can dampen the spirit of gratitude and togetherness. Stay safe and enjoy your feasts!
