The National Weather Service forecasts showers and possibly a thunderstorm here in Cobb County on Thursday, September 26, 2024, with a high near 72 degrees.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Cobb County and other parts of the region due to rounds of torrential rainfall and significant flooding and flash flooding that are expected across the area today and tonight. Brief tornadoes will also be possible, especially across east central Georgia.
As Hurricane Helene moves into the state this evening, hurricane and tropical storm force winds will spread quickly north. All preparations for widespread high wind impacts and power outages should be rushed to completion by this afternoon.
What you will read in this article
- The extended forecast for Cobb County
- Last month’s climate summary for the metro Atlanta region
- The climate almanac for metro Atlanta
- What the National Weather Service is, and what it does
What does the extended forecast have in store?
This forecast is centered on Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta.
Today
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Tonight
Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Friday
Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers, mainly before noon. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 73. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 78.
What was the climate like in the latest reporting period?
The NWS climate summary for metro Atlanta has now been updated with August 2024 figures.
In an article entitled What is the Difference between Climate and Weather?, the National Ocean Service describes the difference as follows:
“Weather is what you see outside on any particular day. So, for example, it may be 75° degrees and sunny or it could be 20° degrees with heavy snow. That’s the weather.
“Climate is the average of that weather. For example, you can expect snow in the Northeast in January or for it to be hot and humid in the Southeast in July. This is climate. The climate record also includes extreme values such as record high temperatures or record amounts of rainfall. If you’ve ever heard your local weather person say “today we hit a record high for this day,” she is talking about climate records.
“So when we are talking about climate change, we are talking about changes in long-term averages of daily weather. In most places, weather can change from minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season. Climate, however, is the average of weather over time and space.”
The climate report for the Atlanta area for the previous month shows how much departure from the average temperatures that month represents. The average temperature for a date is the average over a 30-year period.
| Date | Max | Min | Average | Departure from norm | Precipitation |
| 2024-08-01 | 94 | 74 | 84 | 2.8 | 0 |
| 2024-08-02 | 93 | 77 | 85 | 3.9 | 0.04 |
| 2024-08-03 | 91 | 74 | 82.5 | 1.4 | 0 |
| 2024-08-04 | 91 | 74 | 82.5 | 1.4 | T |
| 2024-08-05 | 92 | 75 | 83.5 | 2.5 | T |
| 2024-08-06 | 93 | 77 | 85 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024-08-07 | 96 | 74 | 85 | 4.1 | 0 |
| 2024-08-08 | 96 | 77 | 86.5 | 5.6 | 0 |
| 2024-08-09 | 95 | 76 | 85.5 | 4.7 | 0 |
| 2024-08-10 | 93 | 73 | 83 | 2.2 | 0 |
| 2024-08-11 | 92 | 69 | 80.5 | -0.2 | 0 |
| 2024-08-12 | 92 | 70 | 81 | 0.4 | 0 |
| 2024-08-13 | 93 | 71 | 82 | 1.4 | 0 |
| 2024-08-14 | 92 | 76 | 84 | 3.5 | 0 |
| 2024-08-15 | 90 | 74 | 82 | 1.6 | 0 |
| 2024-08-16 | 91 | 72 | 81.5 | 1.2 | 0.39 |
| 2024-08-17 | 95 | 71 | 83 | 2.8 | 0.11 |
| 2024-08-18 | 91 | 72 | 81.5 | 1.3 | 0.23 |
| 2024-08-19 | 89 | 70 | 79.5 | -0.6 | 0 |
| 2024-08-20 | 89 | 70 | 79.5 | -0.5 | 0 |
| 2024-08-21 | 85 | 67 | 76 | -3.8 | 0 |
| 2024-08-22 | 85 | 69 | 77 | -2.7 | 0 |
| 2024-08-23 | 85 | 65 | 75 | -4.6 | 0 |
| 2024-08-24 | 88 | 66 | 77 | -2.5 | 0 |
| 2024-08-25 | 90 | 69 | 79.5 | 0.1 | 0 |
| 2024-08-26 | 92 | 70 | 81 | 1.8 | 0 |
| 2024-08-27 | 94 | 71 | 82.5 | 3.4 | 0 |
| 2024-08-28 | 97 | 74 | 85.5 | 6.5 | 0 |
| 2024-08-29 | 98 | 76 | 87 | 8.2 | 0 |
| 2024-08-30 | 96 | 75 | 85.5 | 6.8 | 0.03 |
| 2024-08-31 | M | M | M | M | M |
Climate Almanac for metro Atlanta
This almanac provides information on past climate conditions for September 26, allowing comparisons to current weather.
Simply put, it helps you see what the weather would typically be like on this day, according to historical data.
| Daily Data | Observed | Normal | Record Highest | Record Lowest |
| Max Temperature | M | 81 | 95 in 2019 | 59 in 1940 |
| Min Temperature | M | 63 | 73 in 2019 | 43 in 2001 |
| Avg Temperature | M | 72.0 | 84.0 in 2019 | 52.5 in 1940 |
| Precipitation | M | 0.14 | 2.42 in 1962 | 0.00 in 2023 |
| Snowfall | M | 0.0 | 0.0 in 2023 | 0.0 in 2023 |
| Snow Depth | M | – | 0 in 2023 | 0 in 2023 |
| HDD (base 65) | M | 0 | 12 in 1940 | 0 in 2023 |
| CDD (base 65) | M | 7 | 19 in 2019 | 0 in 2001 |
| Month-to-Date Summary | Observed | Normal | Record Highest | Record Lowest |
| Avg Max Temperature | 85.8 | 84.4 | 94.2 in 1925 | 76.7 in 1924 |
| Avg Min Temperature | 68.6 | 66.5 | 74.0 in 1925 | 58.8 in 1967 |
| Avg Temperature | 77.2 | 75.5 | 84.1 in 1925 | 68.1 in 1967 |
| Total Precipitation | 4.57 | 3.27 | 14.26 in 1888 | T in 1984 |
| Total Snowfall | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 in 2024 | 0.0 in 2024 |
| Max Snow Depth | 0 | – | 0 in 2024 | 0 in 2024 |
| Total HDD (base 65) | 0 | 3 | 37 in 1918 | 0 in 2024 |
| Total CDD (base 65) | 311 | 275 | 503 in 1925 | 98 in 1967 |
| Year-to-Date Summary | Observed | Normal | Record Highest | Record Lowest |
| Avg Max Temperature | 78.1 | 75.9 | 78.5 in 2012 | 70.1 in 1885 |
| Avg Min Temperature | 59.3 | 56.8 | 59.5 in 2023 | 51.1 in 1940 |
| Avg Temperature | 68.7 | 66.4 | 68.9 in 2019 | 61.5 in 1940 |
| Total Precipitation | 48.11 | 38.05 | 56.81 in 1920 | 22.56 in 1931 |
| Total Snowfall (since July 1) | 0.0 | 0.0 | T in 2001 | 0.0 in 2024 |
| Max Snow Depth (since July 1) | 0 | – | T in 1942 | 0 in 2024 |
| Total HDD (since July 1) | 0 | 3 | 37 in 1918 | 0 in 2024 |
| Total CDD (since Jan 1) | 2303 | 1924 | 2400 in 2019 | 1144 in 1967 |
Period of Record:
- Max Temperature : 1878-10-04 to 2024-09-25
- Min Temperature : 1878-10-04 to 2024-09-25
- Precipitation : 1878-10-01 to 2024-09-25
- Snowfall : 1928-12-25 to 2024-09-24
- Snow Depth : 1928-12-25 to 2024-09-22
For much more information on the climate in our area, visit the NWS Climate FAQ for the Atlanta area.
What does the National Weather Service do?
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.”
