Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Flowery Branch, GA

SHORT TERM
(This afternoon through Sunday)
Issued at 227 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

Fairly dense cirrus has resulted in slightly weaker mixing and temperatures a degree or two "cooler" (relatively speaking) than yesterday across portions of north and north central Georgia, but most locations will still top out in the mid-80s to lower-90s.
Minimum values of relative humidity will drop into the mid-20s to mid-30s for much of the area, and a Fire Danger Statement is in effect until 8PM tonight. When combined with increasingly breezy conditions, outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.

Amidst our umpteenth day of persistent presiding surface high pressure, a cold front advances towards northwest Georgia, bringing with it chances for showers and thunderstorms later tonight -- albeit with scant precipitation totals. The pre-frontal trough and front itself may result in two weak pushes of rainfall through daybreak tomorrow morning, but things look to fizzle out between Atlanta and Macon (as they tend to do). Our forecast rainfall totals are rather abysmal when considering our ongoing drought, with 0.1- 0.25" possible for areas along and north of I-85. Orographically- forced isolated amounts up 0.5" are possible, but they'll be the exception and not the rule. Areas further south are unlikely to see more than 0.05" of rainfall, and most will remain totally dry.
In the absence of meaningful rainfall, temperatures falling to within a few degrees of normal will be the primary sensible effect of tomorrow's front (swings of up to 20 degrees between highs today vs. tomorrow!). Highs will likely fail to reach 70 for many along and north of I-85, and areas further south will top out in the lower 70s to near 80. Gusty to breezy northwesterly winds will linger into the afternoon, with gusts to 25 to 30 mph possible.

The combination of elevated winds, tanking dewpoints, and a lack of wetting rainfall for our fine dry fuel sources have necessitated a Fire Weather Watch for Sunday afternoon and evening for all but far east central and southeast central Georgia. The addition of gusty winds to our ongoing dry spell will support critical fire weather conditions, and the expectation is that this will be upgraded to a Red Flag Warning by subsequent shifts. Stay tuned.

LONG TERM
(Monday morning through next Friday)
Issued at 227 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

The main concern for the long term will be continued fire weather concerns. The meager rainfall from the front pushing through Saturday into Sunday will not be enough to improve fuels in the area or the drought unfortunately. Monday will see continued gusty winds over the northeastern portions of the area which along with low relative humidity values in the 25-30% range are likely to lead to Red Flag Conditions. For the remainder of the area, although winds will be less gusty (12-17mph range) RH values will be in the 20-25% range leading to increased fire danger across north and central Georgia for Monday afternoon. Pushing into Tuesday the high pressure begins to build back into the area which will result in slackening winds but with significant dry air in the area, high fire danger continues. Minimum relative humidities will range from 20-30% across north and central Georgia through at least Friday, so fire danger statements are likely each day. Please continue to monitor your local area burn bans.

Temperatures Monday will be right about average to just above average at 75-80 degrees across the area. After this temperatures will begin to rebound into the mid 80s across the area at ~10 degrees above normal through Friday. Taking a look into the longer range models, there are indications that the area could be entering a wetter pattern into next weekend. Details will come together better over the week but there remains indications of the ridge breaking down.



AVIATION
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 122 PM EDT Sat Apr 18 2026

VFR conds to continue thru the aftn with primarily SCT cirrus at 20-25kft. Front approaches from the NW overnight, bringing with it scant chcs for -SHRA/VCSH and MVFR cigs from 06-12Z. Expect rapid clearing/lifting behind the front to VFR and SKC by late aftn.
Winds will be breezy as the front mixes through, generally out of the NW at 10-16kts with gusts to 22-30kts psbl into the aftn, slackening into the evening.

//ATL Confidence
18Z Update
Low-medium confidence overnight precipitation chances.
High confidence all other elements.

96

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS
Athens 54 72 44 76 / 30 10 0 0 Atlanta 51 69 48 75 / 50 10 0 0 Blairsville 43 62 38 67 / 70 0 0 0 Cartersville 46 68 41 75 / 70 0 0 0 Columbus 52 71 47 79 / 30 20 0 0 Gainesville 52 69 45 74 / 50 10 0 0 Macon 56 72 46 78 / 10 20 0 0 Rome 48 69 41 76 / 80 0 0 0 Peachtree City 48 69 43 77 / 40 10 0 0 Vidalia 64 78 49 79 / 0 20 0 0

FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
Fire Weather Watch from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening for GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>061-066>073- 078>084-089>096-102>108.