WEATHER: Temps on the rise with heat index returning for summertime, chances of rain late afternoon hours

The National Weather Service is calling for a rise in the thermometer – at least in the way it feels outside – heading into the final full week of the month of June.

Heat indexes are set to get into the upper 90s in Northwest Georgia as high temps are expected in the upper 80s overall for the opening of the week, with showers and thunderstorms threatening during the late afternoon and evening hours – especially during the rush hour for those heading home from work.

Some severe weather risk is in store for the afternoon and evening hours, with the northern and central half of the state under a Level 2 threat as of time of writing. Those chances could increase. The major threat with scattered thunderstorms driven by heat is high winds and heavy rain. Tornadic activity is not expected.

The likelihood that additional showers and thunderstorms overnight, with lows down into the 70s. Those storms could see wind gusts up to 20 mph.

Showers are expected again on Tuesday afternoon and evening, as highs get into the mid 80s with potential for heat indexes into the low 90s in the region. A stray shower and thunderstorm may also impact the region during the overnight hours on Tuesday and heading into Wednesday, with lows into the mid 60s to low 70s.

Expect sunshine and temperatures starting to rise by Wednesday with highs officially in the upper 80s, and a potential heat index into the low 90s. Much of the same for the remainder of the week is in the forecast at the moment.

Friday will see an even chance for showers and thunderstorms, with highs still near 90 in much of the region but no heat index expected.

The chances for showers heading into the opening weekend of America 250 celebrations around Northwest Georgia (and the nation) will see highs again near 90, with slight chances of showers.

After the rainfall left behind by Hurricane Arthur and somewhat cloudy skies having dominated the area over the weekend, no tropical weather is currently in the forecast for beachgoers heading into the coming week. NWS’ National Hurricane Center isn’t tracking any potential development. A small chance for a development in the eastern Pacific along Mexico’s central Western coast is possible, but only stands about a 20% chance for development.

Drought conditions

Additional June rainfall continues to help Georgia fend off major drought conditions that were persisting across the state – and causing major headaches for South Georgia especially.

Now based on the June 18 update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, a good majority of the state is either abnormally dry or in moderate drought conditions. A swath of the state from the western Florida border across the coastal plains and the Sea Islands remains in severe drought, along with an area of the Georgia Mountains (including a small part of Northwest Georgia in Catoosa and Walker Counties) are in severe drought conditions. Extreme drought remains around the Lowcountry counties of South Carolina, in a handful of counties in the Georgia Mountains and in far south Georgia along the Florida border.

The good news? Most of Northwest Georgia is moving out of drought overall and into the abnormally dry category. Most of Bartow, Floyd, Chattooga, Haralson and Bartow Counties are in the abnormally dry category, along with portions of Dade and Walker counties.

Far western Polk County and the area around Cave Spring in southwestern Floyd County are the only areas of the state completely out of drought conditions. (Ask me how tall my grass has gotten in two weeks…)

All of Paulding, plus areas of Bartow, Dade, Catoosa, Gordon, Haralson, Whitfield and Walker counties remain under moderate drought conditions along with most of Metro Atlanta.

Additional summertime showers bringing moisture up from the Gulf coast over the coming weeks – as is the usual pattern for “monsoon” season in the deep south should help relieve conditions further in the coming days, but when that pattern shifts during the July and August months expect some heat to help bake the region once again.