The National Weather Service has upgraded Thursday’s heat advisory to an extreme heat warning for parts of metro Atlanta, with heat index values forecast to hit 108 to 111 degrees in some areas from noon through 8 p.m.
The warning covers most of north and central Georgia, including Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton and Henry counties. Forecasters are calling for actual air temperatures in the upper 90s combined with high humidity to push the feels-like reading past 110 in the hottest spots, including downtown Atlanta and the south metro.
“Hazardous heat is possible, especially for vulnerable populations,” the NWS said in its midday briefing. “Stay hydrated, limit strenuous time outdoors in the afternoon, and wear light-weight, light-colored clothing.”
The City of Atlanta has extended cooling center hours through the weekend. A full list of locations is available at notifyatl.com. MARTA is offering free rides to and from any designated cooling center through the end of the warning.
In addition to the heat, the Storm Prediction Center has placed north Georgia at a slight risk for severe thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening. The main threats are damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph and frequent lightning. Hail and a brief tornado are possible but not likely.
Looking ahead, the July 4th weekend outlook calls for highs in the mid to upper 90s with isolated to scattered thunderstorms possible each afternoon. Some cooling is expected early next week as a cold front pushes south through the state.
