While they may not be a drought-buster, showers and thunderstorms have arrived, leaving Gainesville with about half-an-inch of rain as of 6;00 this morning. That’s the amount that had been recorded at the airport.
Forecasters had been telling us for several days that the showers were on their way and would likely give some relief to parched lawns and gardens. But as they fine-tuned their outlook, they note there’s an increasing chance for some stormy weather.
“Showers and thunderstorms will become more widespread through tonight,” the latest National Weather Service (NWS) advisory said Wednesday. “A few storms could become strong with damaging winds, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall (and flash flooding) especially Thursday afternoon/evening.”
The best chance for any strong storms is along and southeast of a line from Blairsville to Rome.
NWS 7-day forecast for Gainesville and vicinity:
Thursday
Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. High near 79. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night
A chance of thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Monday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Monday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.