Getty Hurricane Irma from space.
Could Hurricane Irma hit Atlanta, Georgia? It’s far from certain, and the latest weather forecast does not project hurricane conditions for the city, but the latest models of the storm’s track bring it directly through Atlanta.
The massive hurricane is now projected in the most recent models to shift westward, possibly striking Georgia and/or South Carolina. The morning September 8 forecast cone from the National Weather Service shows Georgia in the possible path of the Category 5 storm.
National Hurricane CenterThe latest track of Hurricane Irma.
A spaghetti model for September 8 shows a similar trend:
South Florida Waste Management DistrictFriday morning September 8 spaghetti model.
This September 8 model is pretty frightening for Atlanta.
NOAAThe latest track of Hurricane Irma shows it heading up through Florida’s spine an impacting more people than first originally thought.
“The track of Hurricane Irma now has metro Atlanta taking a direct hit from the storm,” noted WSB-TV. However, it’s not at all clear how strong the storm would still be if it got there, and the models and storm remain unpredictable and could change.
“Updated projections of Hurricane Irma show the massive storm could track further west than originally anticipated as it moves through Georgia on Monday, Gov. Nathan Deal said Friday,” according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. WSB-TV reports that the effects on Atlanta would not likely be seen until late Monday night or Tuesday morning.
WSB-TV metereologist Katie Walls said those impacts, while unknown, could include 3-6 inches of rain, minor flooding, 40-70 mph winds, and possibly tornadoes.
The extended forecast for Atlanta did not list any hurricane or tropical storm conditions on September 8. See updated radar for Atlanta here. See an hourly forecast here. (Note that Atlanta weather is tracked by the National Weather Service out of its Peachtree City office.)
NWSSeptember 8 extended forecast for Atlanta Georgia.
In fact, Atlanta was preparing to welcome evacuees.
https://twitter.com/TheTruth24US/status/905654734672953344
Watch Irma’s path here.
.@GovernorDeal declares #stateofemergency for Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh counties. #HurricaneIrma2017
The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center was still focused on potential impacts on Florida, which were also increasing.
Hurricane watches will likely be issued for parts of FL today. TS winds expected to arrive in south FL and the Keys on Saturday #Irma
Be aware that forecasting models are just that; they’re projections, and no one knows for certain what the hurricane will do.
National Hurricane Center
Here are the latest Key Messages on #Irma t.co/tW4KeGdBFb
This is the extended forecast for Atlanta:
“Overnight (September 7)
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 77. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 79.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Monday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Monday Night
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Tuesday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Tuesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.”