Above normal temps & increase rain chances kick-off weekend

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – On Friday, a shortwave trough begins to dig south along the southern Mississippi Valley and continues to enhance the spread of moisture over the area. 

Combined with daytime heating, scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected this afternoon through early evening. Some of the heavier storms could produce higher rainfall totals, particularly over the central and northern portions of our coverage area with a highlighted Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall in that area through the end of the short term period. Outside of  a few storms with strong gusty winds, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall, the risk of severe weather is relatively low as we progress into the weekend. A Bermuda High lingers off the eastern seaboard, which will continue to spread southerly flow and low level moisture into the Southeast. By the time Saturday arrives, dewpoints will be in the low to mid 70s across the majority of the area. A shortwave trough will be advancing from the middle Mississippi River Valley region towards the lower Midwest. As this shortwave progresses, a weakening frontal boundary will be moving

southward through Central Tennessee and approaching the North Georgia border. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to continue  through much of North Georgia to the south of this front.  Warm, moist southerly flow will help high temperatures Saturday rise into the upper 80s to low 90s in spite of increased cloud/precipitation coverage. The combination of diurnal destabilization and the boundary progressing further south will promote a further increase in thunderstorm coverage across the area by late Saturday morning through the evening hours. Stronger storms that develop will be efficient rainfall producers and could lead to localized flooding concerns, most likely in areas to the north of the Fall Line. Shear ahead of the front will become negligible as the front continues to weaken. With ample diurnal instability, a few storms will be capable of becoming strong and capable of producing frequent lightning and gusty winds. Saturday night, the remnant boundary is anticipated to stall near the I-85 corridor, with some showers expected to linger in the vicinity. With lesser precipitation and cloud coverage on Sunday, temperatures are expected to increase by a couple of degrees, warming into the low to mid 90s. With dewpoints remaining in the 70s, heat index values will climb into the low to mid 100s in areas south of I-85 and in the upper 90s in areas to the north in the peak heating hours.  Scattered afternoon pulse thunderstorms are expected on Sunday, closer to the remnant boundary.