A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for north and central Georgia, with isolated to scattered thunderstorms and dangerous heat indices up to 104 degrees expected this afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for Cobb County and other parts of north and central Georgia on Friday, July 18, 2025.

What is in the statement?

The statement gives the following details:

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight…

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. A couple storms may have gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning.

Heat index values will range from 100 to 104 degrees across portions of north and central Georgia this afternoon and early evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Saturday through Thursday…

Scattered thunderstorms are expected Saturday through Wednesday, mainly in the afternoons and evenings. The potential for organized severe weather remains low, but very heavy rainfall and localized flooding will be possible.

Heat index values will range from 100 to 108 degrees, possibly higher, across portions of north and central Georgia each day.

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, Wilkinson

What is meant by “isolated” and “scattered”?

The NWS defines “isolated” as follows:

A National Weather Service convective precipitation descriptor for a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch). Isolated is used interchangeably with few.

“Scattered” has the following definition:

When used to describe precipitation (for example: “scattered showers”) – Area coverage of convective weather affecting 30 percent to 50 percent of a forecast zone (s).

Isolated Thunderstorms:
Isolated thunderstorms are relatively rare occurrences that happen sporadically and are generally confined to a limited area.
These thunderstorms are often characterized by being few and far between, with significant gaps between individual storm cells.
Typically, isolated thunderstorms cover less than 20% of the forecast area.
Despite their isolated nature, these storms can still be intense and may produce heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds, and possibly hail.

Scattered Thunderstorms:
Scattered thunderstorms are more widespread than isolated thunderstorms and cover a larger portion of the forecast area.
In a scattered thunderstorm scenario, numerous individual thunderstorms develop, but they are not continuous or widespread enough to be classified as a “line” or “cluster” of storms.
Scattered thunderstorms generally cover between 30% to 50% of the forecast area.
Although scattered thunderstorms are more widespread, they still leave considerable gaps between storm cells, and not everyone within the forecast area will necessarily experience a thunderstorm.

In summary, isolated thunderstorms are fewer in number and more localized, covering a smaller area with significant gaps between storms, while scattered thunderstorms are more widespread, covering a larger area with numerous individual storms occurring somewhat randomly across the forecast area.

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.”