Flood warning Wednesday afternoon to Friday afternoon and tracking of Helene

FLOOD WARNING WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Isolated showers and some thunderstorms are possible this evening, and then isolated ones overnight.

On Wednesday it will rain and thunder on and off. Heavy downpours at times. Not so hot, temperatures will be above 20 degrees.

We are weather warning Thursday and Friday

Tropical Storm Helene should strengthen into a hurricane on Wednesday and possibly make landfall as a major hurricane by Thursday night. Helene is our main weather focus for Thursday and Friday. The inland track could bring us an increasing chance for even more rain. However, amounts that could pose a flooding threat could occur. It all depends on the inland track. The heaviest rain could fall Thursday into the first half of Friday. As the system moves through, gusts could average around 25-35 mph. Some gusts could exceed 40 mph at higher elevations Thursday night and into midday Friday.

The heaviest rain and strongest gusts may subside Friday afternoon and evening as the remnants of Helene race northward out of our observation zone.

Local rainfall amounts could range from 3 to 6 inches. These amounts will vary locally, with amounts being higher east of I-75. In some parts of our eastern mountain counties, amounts could be in the 7-inch range and higher. Higher terrain could mean even more excessive runoff and flash flooding.

The weather could improve over the weekend. Isolated showers are still possible, otherwise a mixture of clouds and sun is expected on both days, with maximum temperatures between 21 and 27 degrees.

David Glenn