Rain chances increase for Middle Georgia

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A pattern more like Summer will be in place through the short term as the forecast area remains situated on the western fringe of the Atlantic ridge. This

will bring well-above normal temperatures along with increased risk of scattered showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday amid increased moisture brought on by southerly flow. A few  showers and even a brief isolated thunderstorm can’t be ruled out through the remainder of today, although the vast majority of the area will remain dry. After a warm night bringing lows only in the upper 50s to low 60s, temperatures will again rebound well into the 80s on Wednesday. Diurnal shower and thunderstorm coverage should be higher on Wednesday afternoon and evening as a weak wave lifts north around the western fringe of the Atlantic ridge. No severe weather is expected, although any storm will be capable of lightning and brief locally heavy (and much needed) rainfall before diminishing late Wednesday evening.  Models remain in good agreement showing the Bermuda ridge just off the Mid-Atlantic coast keeping North and Middle Georgia in a moist southerly flow through the weekend. This southerly flow will help warm temps through the end of the week with highs mainly in the 80s. This consistent southerly flow will also lead to increased diurnally driven precip chances from Wednesday through the weekend. Instability levels remain weak under this Bermuda ridge so no widespread severe weather threat is expected at this time. We will see an isolated threat for  strong storms as shortwaves move across the area from the Atlantic and the Gulf under the warm southerly flow.