Weather alert: Scattered rain and storms on Memorial Day expected

ATLANTA – Metro Atlanta residents woke up to a soggy and stormy start to the holiday week, with widespread rainfall and occasional lightning strikes moving across the region early Monday morning. Temperatures hovered around 68 degrees before sunrise.

The heaviest downpours Monday morning impacted areas south of Atlanta, including Barnesville and Griffin, where gusty winds of up to 40 mph were observed. While not strong enough to prompt severe thunderstorm warnings, these winds contributed to dangerous driving conditions and a generally messy morning commute.

Farther north, areas like Rockdale and Carroll counties saw steadier rain with less lightning activity. The rain tended to taper off as it pushed into far North Georgia, but forecasters caution that few areas will escape the wet weather entirely today.

As of 7:30 a.m., if you are currently dry, conditions should remain that way through late morning, with only isolated rain chances before storms redevelop this afternoon.

The next round of showers and storms is expected to begin around 2 p.m., with a greater chance for severe weather—especially during the evening and overnight hours. 

Trouble on the roads

The wet roads led to several crashes this morning, with the trouble continuing even as the rain lessened. 

Another crash was reported around 5 a.m. in the right 2 lanes of I-75 NB at Highway 92 near Acworth.

A crash was also reported in the right lane of I-20EB before Lowery Boulevard shortly after 5 a.m. 

Follow SKYFOX Traffic on X for more updates. 

Rest of the week

The outlook for the rest of the week remains unsettled, with waves of storms expected to continue each day through at least midweek. Some periods will be wetter than others, with a brief lull expected late Tuesday morning before storm chances ramp back up again in the afternoon and evening.

Temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal averages, but the persistent humidity and storm activity will likely make outdoor plans challenging. Storms later today could become strong, fueled by daytime heating as highs approach 80 degrees.

More widespread rain is expected to return Tuesday evening, and the chance of drier, calmer weather may not arrive until the weekend. Residents are encouraged to monitor forecasts and remain weather-aware throughout the week.

SUNDAY UPDATES

10 P.M. UPDATE | A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for most of metro Atlanta until midnight. 

9 P.M. UPDATE | A potentially-tornadic thunderstorm cell producing hail is moving into DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

8:30 P.M. UPDATE | Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties in effect until 9:15 p.m. 

8 P.M. UPDATE | Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued until 8:15 p.m. for Cherokee, Bartow and Pickens counties. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued until midnight for multiple counties, including Gwinnett County, Haralson County, Bartow County, Paulding County, Polk County, Douglas County, Forsyth County, Cherokee County, Fulton County, Pickens County, Carroll County, Cobb County, DeKalb County.

7:30 P.M. UPDATE | Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued until 8:15 p.m. for Canton, Cartersville and Adairsville (Cherokee and Bartow counties). 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Bartow, Polk and Pickens counties until midnight. 

There are multiple North Georgia EMC customers currently without power. According to a post on Facebook, their crews will work around the clock to restore power to everyone who is affected.

According to Georgia Power’s outage map, they have about 600 customers currently without power in the same area. Click here to see the outages. 

7:15 P.M. UPDATE | A Tornado Warning for Bartow and Gordon counties, including Adairsville, Rome and Calhoun, issued until 7:30 p.m. Click here for radar. 

If you are in the warning area, you should seek shelter immediately. 

7 P.M. UPDATE | The National Weather Service has extended the Tornado Warning until 7:15 p.m. for northeastern Floyd and southwestern Gordon counties. 

6:45 P.M. UPDATE | The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for north central Floyd County, southeastern Walker County, and northeastern Chattooga County – all in northwestern Georgia. The warning is in effect until 7 p.m.

At 6:42 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 9 miles northeast of Summerville, moving southeast at 40 mph. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Rome, Dalton and Calhoun until 7:30 p.m. and until 7 p.m. for Summerville, Waring, Fort Oglethorpe, LaFayette and Fairview. 

ORIGINAL STORY

Metro Atlanta and much of North Georgia remain under the threat of severe weather as multiple rounds of strong storms are forecast to sweep through the region through Memorial Day and into Tuesday.

The first line of storms began pushing into northwest Georgia on Saturday, bringing gusty winds, hail, and isolated tornado warnings. While the chance of tornadoes has decreased, damaging winds of up to 70 miles per hour, moderate hail, and intense downpours remain a serious concern. Localized flooding is also possible in areas hit hardest by these systems.

As of Sunday evening, the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for portions of the region until 7 p.m., and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight for counties Bartow, Polk and Pickens. That watch may expand depending on how the storm system develops.

The next significant line of storms is expected to impact cities such as Rome, Carrollton, and metro Atlanta between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., with peak intensity likely after midnight.

For more weather coverage and the latest local forecast, visit the FOX 5 weather page.

Another wave of severe weather is possible Monday night, with the strongest storms expected between 9 p.m. and midnight, continuing into the early hours of Tuesday. These late-night systems may bring more intense wind gusts, heavy rain, and small hail.

While forecast models have shown inconsistencies, there is clear potential for severe conditions due to sufficient atmospheric energy. Most of Georgia remains under a Level 1 (Marginal Risk) for severe weather, but parts of west and east Georgia to a Level 2 (Slight Risk) — indicating a greater likelihood of severe thunderstorms in those areas.

Despite unsettled conditions, residents may catch a brief break in the rain late Monday morning through early afternoon, which could allow some Memorial Day celebrations to proceed. Still, everyone is urged to remain alert, especially during the evening and overnight hours when storms are most likely.

Temperatures will stay in a seasonal range, with daytime highs in the low 80s and overnight lows in the upper 60s. Rain and storm chances will continue into Tuesday and possibly beyond, with repeated threats of damaging winds, frequent lightning, and periods of heavy rain.

Get location-based weather alerts on your mobile device by downloading the FOX 5 weather app and allowing notifications.

Officials are encouraging the public to monitor real-time updates, have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, and avoid outdoor activities during active warnings. With storm strength and timing still variable, the risk for sudden, severe weather remains high across much of the state.