The big story today and tomorrow is going to be the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Helene is set to make landfall Thursday evening in Florida as a major hurricane, bringing winds of at least 115MPH (Gusts up to 130MPH), 15 feet of storm surge, and 6-8 inches of rain.
Significant impacts are expected locally from Tropical Storm Helene, beginning as early as midday Thursday and lasting through Friday morning. The most significant impacts to the region are likely to be felt between 9 PM Thursday and 9 AM Friday. By this point, Helene is forecast to make landfall in Florida sometime between 6 PM and 9 PM on Thursday, rapidly pushing northward as the upper-level low to our west draws it into its synoptic sphere.
This is a unique setup in that all guidance – deterministic models and their ensembles/ensemble members – show very little weakening of the central pressure as Helene rapidly moves into central GA on Thursday night. As a result of this, the core is expected to remain intact as it approaches the forecast area, resulting in widespread, heavy rainfall and a flash flooding threat along the path of the center. Guidance suggests that 3-6” of rain is possible with this activity, with isolated higher amounts possible. The heaviest rain will likely fall along and just east and west of the track so any deviations will have an impact on how much rainfall our area sees.
Since Helene is tracking to our west, that also puts us at risk of Tornadoes overnight Thursday and Friday morning.
7-Day Forecast
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms becoming more likely later in the day. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 76. East wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday Night: Rain and storms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. A brief tornado cannot be ruled out. Low around 73. Winds continue to pick up out of the east at 15 to 25 mph, increasing to 25 to 40 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 to 60 mph. Chance of rain is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Friday: Rain and storms likely, gradually tapering off throughout the afternoon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. A brief tornado cannot be ruled out. Highs around 80. Chance of rain is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Sunday: Partly cloudy, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. High near 82. Chance of rain is around 30%.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of rain is 20%.
Monday: Scattered rain and storms, mainly after 12pm. High near 79. Chance of rain is around 40%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of rain is 20%.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy, slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. High near 81. Chance of rain around 30%.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. High near 82. Chance of rain is around 30%.