The National Weather Service forecasts partly sunny skies here in Cobb County on Saturday, May 17, 2025, with a high near 87 degrees.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Cobb County and other parts of the region due to a line of thunderstorms that will move across north Georgia this morning. A few storms within this line could become strong to severe. Damaging wind gusts will be the primary threat with any severe storms that occur, though hail, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rain will also be possible.
Scattered thunderstorms are also expected to develop in portions of central Georgia this afternoon and evening.
Bonus for the more weather-curious among you … To read an article about interpreting a weather news report with some of the typical terminology defined, follow this link.
To read an article about interpreting a weather news report, with some of the typical terminology defined, follow this link.
What does the extended forecast have in store?
This forecast is centered on Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta.
Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind around 5 mph.
Sunday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m, then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Monday
A chance of showers between 8 a.m and 11 a.m, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 76.
What was the climate like in the latest reporting period?
The NWS climate summary for metro Atlanta has now been updated with April 2025 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 | High | Low | Average | Departure from Norm | Precipitation |
2025-04-01 | 78 | 46 | 62 | 2.5 | 0 |
2025-04-02 | 84 | 64 | 74 | 14.3 | 0 |
2025-04-03 | 84 | 67 | 75.5 | 15.6 | 0 |
2025-04-04 | 87 | 66 | 76.5 | 16.3 | T |
2025-04-05 | 87 | 67 | 77 | 16.6 | 0 |
2025-04-06 | 74 | 62 | 68 | 7.3 | 1.9 |
2025-04-07 | 68 | 48 | 58 | -2.9 | 1 |
2025-04-08 | 65 | 44 | 54.5 | -6.7 | 0 |
2025-04-09 | 68 | 42 | 55 | -6.4 | 0 |
2025-04-10 | 77 | 49 | 63 | 1.3 | 0.31 |
2025-04-11 | 68 | 50 | 59 | -2.9 | 0.01 |
2025-04-12 | 66 | 43 | 54.5 | -7.7 | 0 |
2025-04-13 | 73 | 42 | 57.5 | -5 | 0 |
2025-04-14 | 84 | 56 | 70 | 7.3 | 0 |
2025-04-15 | 73 | 53 | 63 | 0 | 0 |
2025-04-16 | 73 | 47 | 60 | -3.2 | 0 |
2025-04-17 | 78 | 51 | 64.5 | 1 | 0 |
2025-04-18 | 84 | 54 | 69 | 5.2 | 0 |
2025-04-19 | 86 | 60 | 73 | 9 | 0 |
2025-04-20 | 83 | 65 | 74 | 9.7 | 0 |
2025-04-21 | 83 | 62 | 72.5 | 7.9 | 0 |
2025-04-22 | 75 | 66 | 70.5 | 5.7 | 0.01 |
2025-04-23 | 81 | 64 | 72.5 | 7.4 | 0.03 |
2025-04-24 | 79 | 63 | 71 | 5.6 | 0.07 |
2025-04-25 | 83 | 65 | 74 | 8.4 | 0.75 |
2025-04-26 | 81 | 63 | 72 | 6.1 | 0 |
2025-04-27 | 83 | 62 | 72.5 | 6.3 | 0 |
2025-04-28 | 79 | 63 | 71 | 4.6 | 0 |
2025-04-29 | 82 | 63 | 72.5 | 5.8 | 0 |
2025-04-30 | 85 | 65 | 75 | 8 | 0 |
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.”