[UPDATE: A followup alert from the National Weather Service changed the forecast from “anticipated” to “possible.” Read the updated forecast by following this link]

According to the National Weather Service  strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to enter  Cobb County and other parts of north and central Georgia this afternoon January 12.

High winds are also expected with an upper limit possible of localized 60 mph winds.

What is in the statement?

The statement gives the following details:

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia.

.DAY ONE…This Afternoon and Tonight…

Strong to severe thunderstorms are anticipated beginning late

this morning into the evening. The greatest risk for severe

weather is over portions of central Georgia where damaging winds

are the primary gusts, with and isolated tornado possible.

Winds today into tonight will be gusty even outside of the

thunderstorms. Gusts up to 45 mph are possible across north and

central GA. North Georgia can expect gusts in excess of 50 mph

with localized 60 mph possible in elevations above 2000ft. A High

Wind Warning is currently in place for the north Georgia

mountains, with a Wind Advisory out for the Atlanta Metro and

central Georgia.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Saturday through Thursday…

A rain snow mix is possible in northern Georgia Monday night or

Tuesday. Significantly colder weather is probable by the middle

of next week, with wind chills in the teens or single digits

possible Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not requested but spotters are encouraged

to submit reports of severe weather through the web by going to

weather.gov/atlanta.  Please relay any information about observed severe

weather to the NWS.

What counties are affected?

The following counties are included in the hazardous weather outlook:

Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly, Douglas, Emanuel, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Glascock, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Lumpkin, Macon, Madison, Marion, Meriwether, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Muscogee, Newton, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Rockdale, Schley, South Fulton, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Twiggs, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, Warren, Washington, Webster, Wheeler, White, Whitfield, Wilcox, Wilkes

About the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NWS describes its role as follows:

“The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. 

“These services include Forecasts and Observations, Warnings, Impact-based Decision Support Services, and Education in an effort to build a Weather-Ready Nation. The ultimate goal is to have a society that is prepared for and responds to weather, water and climate events.”

>>> Read all the Cobb County Courier climate and weather coverage by following this link.