More storms to hit metro area today
By MIKE MORRIS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/21/06
After two days of heavy storms that pounded metro Atlanta, get ready for round three later today.
The National Weather Service said severe thunderstorms were expected over North and Middle Georgia this afternoon and evening ahead of a cold front.
While the primary hazards will be large hail and damaging winds, forecasters warned that isolated tornadoes are possible.
The area mostly likely at risk for severe weather is along and northwest of a line from Columbus to Athens, including all of metro Atlanta, the Weather Service said.
Thunderstorms were popping up across the northwest corner of the state before daybreak.
Severe storms Thursday night dumped hail about 1 inch in diameter in Coweta and Fayette counties. The Weather Service said three trees were blown down across Ga. 54 near Moreland in Coweta.
Lightning was believed responsible for house fires Thursday night in Fayette and Gwinnett counties. No injuries were reported.
An AirTran flight departing Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for Washington during Thursday night's storms was forced to return to Hartsfield after being struck by lightning. The plane landed without incident.
The forecast for metro Atlanta calls for the storms to taper off Saturday morning as the cold front passes through, with only a slight chance of showers Saturday afternoon.
Skies will be mostly clear Saturday night and partly cloudy on Sunday, the Weather Service said.
Temperatures behind the front will be considerably cooler, climbing only into the upper 60s on Saturday afternoon before dipping into the upper 40s Saturday night. Sunday's highs should be in the low 80s.