Daily Forecast | The latest from First Alert weather forecaster Tim Strong

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Today we have a chance of strong to severe storms, especially around noon here in Augusta, we have issued a first alert weather day for the potential for strong to severe storms in our headquarters and southern counties.

FOR SOME SOUTHWEST COUNTIES IN THE CSRA, A TORNADOWATCH APPLIES UNTIL 1:00 PM.

We’re starting with drier conditions today but rain will move quickly through the region as we approach 9am, first in our western counties and then east. The series of showers and storms is approaching the Augusta area between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. In our southern and eastern counties, storms last from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The storm line is expected to clear the region by dinner, with the biggest impacts being gusty winds, minor flooding and a short tornado that cannot be ruled out.

There can be occasional rain on both Thursday and Friday, with afternoon temperatures remaining cool in the low 60s. Friday trended drier which means we could see highs returning to the low 70s. Rain totals through Friday night range from 0.5 to 2 inches around the CSRA, with the highest amounts in our southern counties.

Unfortunately, warmer temperatures will be interrupted, but another cold front will sweep through the region early Saturday morning. The Storm Forecasting Center has already placed parts of the region under an observation area, meaning severe weather could be a possibility as the front passes. The front is expected to move through the region, bringing heavy rain, wind and an isolated tornado threat from 7am in our western counties to 1pm in our eastern counties. In addition to the storm, the wind will probably be the big story on Saturday.

At the moment we are expecting wind gusts of up to 45-50mph in the morning and into the afternoon. Lake Wind and Wind Advisories will most likely be issued, for this reason we issued a First Alert for the entire sighting area on Saturday from 7am to 4pm.

There will be some cold air behind this powerful cold front! Temperatures are expected to drop to the mid 20s by Sunday morning around CSRA which could harm crops and any sensitive plants in our garden. Make sure to bring those plants and your pets, Augusta lows are expected to drop to 26°.

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