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Tornado watch issued for several counties in north Georgia until 1 a.m.

By Severe Weather Team 2
By Severe Weather Team 2

ATLANTA — It was a warm and breezy afternoon, but there is a risk of strong storms late Thursday night into Friday morning. A tornado watch has been issued for several counties in north Georgia until 1 a.m. Friday.

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The main threats Thursday were wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph, small hail and isolated brief tornadoes.

Severe Weather Team 2 is monitoring when the heavy rain will clear out, on Channel 2 Action News This Morning.

Channel 2's chief meteorologist Glenn Burns says there will still be scattered showers around 5 a.m. Friday morning but will diminish by 8 a.m.

MINUTE-BY-MINUTE UPDATES: 

11:08 p.m. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of Carroll and Heard counties.

10:48 p.m. A tornado warning has been issued for Randolph County, Alabama until 11:30 p.m.

9:06 p.m. Parts of Paulding County are experiencing severe hail.

8:52 p.m. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the following counties until 9:30 p.m.: Cobb, Cherokee and Bartow.

8:32 p.m. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the following counties until 9:30 p.m.: Polk, Paulding and Haralson.

8:30 p.m. The tornado warning issued for Floyd and Polk counties has expired.

8:03 p.m. A tornado warning has been issued for Floyd and Polk counties until 8:45 p.m.

7:40 p.m. A tornado watch has been issued for the following counties until 1 a.m.: Bartow, Carroll, Douglas, Floyd, Haralson, Randolph (Alabama), Heard, Paulding and Polk.

7:35 p.m. Channel 2's meteorologist Brad Nitz says a tornado watch will be issued for some counties in west Georgia.

7:31 p.m: A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Polk and Floyd counties. It will be in effect until 8:15 p.m.

7:28 p.m: Burns says a severe thunderstorm warning will likely be issued for both Polk and Floyd counties.

7:23 p.m: The storm that produced a tornado west of Gadsden, Alabama, is approaching western Floyd and northwest Polk counties.

6:55 p.m: The National Weather Service is considering issuing a watch for Georgia.

"There will be more energy for storms with this system than what we saw over the weekend," Monahan said.

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Temperatures reached the mid- to upper 70s today, which is above the average high for this time of year. It stayed mainly dry through the daylight hours.

Some cooler air will move into north Georgia starting this weekend, according to Monahan. Expect highs right around 60 on Saturday and Sunday under a mostly sunny sky.

Cox Media Group

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