Tropical moisture continues to inject Middle Georgia

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Tropical moisture continues to be pulled up over Georgia off of the Gulf. A surface trough remains in place over North and Middle Georgia, and with 

continued lifting associated with a jet streak to the northeast, that will aid in maintaining instability across the area. Meanwhile, a disturbance off the coast of Texas, Potential Tropical Cyclone 1, is likely to develop into a tropical storm over the Gulf before making its way onshore near the Texas/Louisiana border, continuing to supply the already ample moisture in place. With these factors in mind, there remains the threat for some isolated embedded thunderstorms, particularly over Middle Georgia into the Atlanta metro and Athens this afternoon into the evening. Rain tapers off, with overcast conditions persisting for much of the region through much of the morning. This will likely result in a delay to daytime heating, and therefore a delay in thunderstorm threat. That being said, by mid to late afternoon, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible, particularly over Middle Georgia.  Daytime high temperatures are forecast to be around 8 to 12 degrees

warmer than yesterday. The warmer temperatures, persistent dynamics, and the enhanced tropical moisture over the region, will be plenty to sustain at least showers and periods of rain, and likely thunderstorm activity as well. By Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center forecast has the remnants of the tropical system centered along the Louisiana/Mississippi border just south Interstate 20 near Natchez, MS. The main area of moisture/precipitation will be well out ahead of the low center with precipitation just beginning to push into West Georgia at the same time. This wave of deep tropical moisture moves across Georgia Thursday and into the Carolinas Friday morning. With continued southwesterly flow across the area, with a frontal boundary pushing also into North Georgia as well. This frontal boundary looks like it will have enough strength to stay organized and push into South Georgia/North Florida through Saturday morning. This will allow a drier airmass to filter into the state Saturday drying things out for about a day or so before the next wave pushes in from Mississippi/Alabama Sunday afternoon. This tropical wave is expected to move across the state Thursday/Friday and will bring copious amounts of rain. We are looking at 3 to 5 day precipitation totals in the 2.5 to 6 inches with  higher totals across west and central portions of the state. As remnants of this tropical system moves through the area, we will see periods of heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds, and some flooding. There is also the possibility for some isolated quick spin up tornadoes. Right now all of North and Middle Georgia is under a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall with portions of West Georgia under a Moderate Risk.