Weather in Athens, Ga: Heavy rain, wind gusts near 40 mph expected Tuesday

Athens area residents will likely awaken to rain and wind, with potential for severe weather, on Tuesday morning.

“The tornado risk is very low. The higher chances are for hail and strong gusty winds and periods of heavy rain,” National Weather Service metrologist Vaugh Smith said Monday.

“The severe weather will move into your area after daybreak (Tuesday). You’ll see the thunderstorms probably between 10 a.m. and noon,” he said.

The storm, coming from the west, is likely to bring high winds.

“The winds will begin tonight. We’re looking at sustained winds in the 20 to 30 mph range with gusts near 40,” Smith said.

The rain amount could range anywhere from an expected three inches to four inches. This creates the potential for flooding, according to Smith.

“You could get some isolated higher amounts but that will be if one of these strong storms sits over an area and doesn’t move much,” he said.

The system will move out late Tuesday, but that could bring additional precipitation before the sunshine brings blue skies on Wednesday.

“There is some moisture on the backside as the colder air moves in behind the front. We could see some light snow, but not much in the way of accumulations,” he predicted.

Heavy rains also introduced Athens to flooding on Jan. 4 when 2023 began. During that storms parts of Olympic Drive and Charlie Bolton Road had to be closed due to flooding extensively damaging the roadways.

Road were also damaged in Madison and Oconee County by the heavy rain.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens, Ga. weather: Storm with heavy rain, high winds expected Tuesday