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.
Severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of Carroll and Heard counties. Tracking this storm on WSB-TV now. pic.twitter.com/Vo2xab6zG7
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) March 15, 2019
10:48 p.m. A tornado warning has been issued for Randolph County, Alabama until 11:30 p.m.
Tornado warning for Randolph county, Alabama. A radar indicated tornado moving east toward Wedowee may ultimately move into west Georgia. pic.twitter.com/pWvmXklhmd
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) March 15, 2019
9:06 p.m. Parts of Paulding County are experiencing severe hail.
Severe hail 1.25” in diameter now in Paulding County. This supercell is rotating. Moving northeast at 40 mph. pic.twitter.com/2dy7HmxAVs
— Glenn Burns (@GlennBurnsWSB) March 15, 2019
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.
Tornado warning for north Polk and Floyd Counties until 845. Heads up in Rome and Lindale — headed your way.
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) March 15, 2019
@GlennBurnsWSB @BradNitzWSB tracking live on @WSBTV now pic.twitter.com/CpG1NlsSxW
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.
Tornado watch for west Georgia and western metro Atlanta until 1 am. We're tracking these on WSB-TV. pic.twitter.com/PkFN8zsIAA
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) March 14, 2019
TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 1 am. Will likely be canceled way before then however, based on motion and speed of storms. You folks in Polk County BE ALERT! Worst part of the storm about ready to move in to your area. Our Severe Weather Chaser 2 is in Polk right now. pic.twitter.com/KRvaqUZAC8
— Glenn Burns (@GlennBurnsWSB) March 14, 2019
7:35 p.m. Channel 2's meteorologist Brad Nitz says a tornado watch will be issued for some counties in west Georgia.
A tornado watch will be issued shortly for a some counties in west Georgia. Stand by for that.
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) March 14, 2019
A severe thunderstorm warning is up for parts of Floyd and Gordon counties now. pic.twitter.com/aDpc1xikoo
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.
SEVERE T-STORM WARNING for Floyd and Polk until 8:15 pm. Large hail and damaging winds. Storm has some broad rotation. pic.twitter.com/5ZJZq895ZA
— Glenn Burns (@GlennBurnsWSB) March 14, 2019
7:28 p.m: Burns says a severe thunderstorm warning will likely be issued for both Polk and Floyd counties.
We will likely see a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for POLK AND FLOYD counties shortly. This storm has already produced a tornado in Alabama. pic.twitter.com/9cZlk7adka
— Glenn Burns (@GlennBurnsWSB) March 14, 2019
7:23 p.m: The storm that produced a tornado west of Gadsden, Alabama, is approaching western Floyd and northwest Polk counties.
The storm that produced a tornado west of Gadsden, AL is approaching western Floyd and northwest Polk counties. Severe Thunderstorm warning extends to the state line. Tornado warning now west of Cleburne Co, AL pic.twitter.com/8aIhMPnUky
— Glenn Burns (@GlennBurnsWSB) March 14, 2019
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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This is midnight tonight. Embedded strong storms are possible as this line moves in. 40-60 mph gusts, small hail, even a small risk for an isolated, brief tornado...especially in NW Georgia.
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) March 14, 2019
I expect this line to weaken as it moves through metro Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/dYS6d7MBzN
RAIN TONIGHT: A cold front will bring some heavy rain, and a chance of isolated strong storms, across north Georgia late tonight and early tomorrow.
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) March 14, 2019
Main storm risks are heavy rain, gusty wind, and small hail. We can't rule out an isolated brief tornado. pic.twitter.com/fVFp30qlQ2
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.
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