Severe Thunderstorms Expected Tonight

UPDATED 7:40 P.M.: Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected across much of north and central Georgia this evening.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the primary hazards from the thunderstorms will be damaging wind and frequent lightning with large hail and tornadoes possible. Dacula and much of northern Georgia is under a tornado watch until midnight.

The storm threat is related to a strong cold front moving into the southeast. Strong, southerly winds will supply what the NWS describes as a “warm, moist and moderately unstable airmass” to the area.

Though the main severe weather threat is associated with the actual squall line, the NWS advises isolated supercells are possible ahead of the main storm front.

said the developing storm is potentially a high-end severe weather event.

“I know there is a lot going on this weekend and people doing a lot of outdoor activities so please be prepared to monitor any severe weather alerts and to take the appropriate actions if severe weather approaches,” Brueck wrote in a Daculaweather.com email alert. “This is one system I would not take lightly.”

Today’s Daculaweather.com forecast calls for highs in the mid-70s with winds out of the southeast at 10 to 20 m.p.h. The chance of rain is 60 percent. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms will move into the area with the chance of rain near 100 percent. Lows will be in the upper 50s with winds out of the south at 5 to 15 m.p.h.

On Saturday morning, there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs Saturday will be in the lower 70s with west winds of 10 to 20 m.p.h.