Atlanta is in for some serious rain, causing flood risks and disrupting fans who hoped to spend the day at the FIFA Fan Festival downtown.
Multiple rounds of heavy downpours are expected Thursday through Friday evening, and Georgia is under a Level 1 of 5 threat for severe thunderstorms Thursday, the National Weather Service advises. By Saturday, North and Middle Georgia could see up to 4 inches of rain, and certain areas could even exceed 5 inches.
The Weather Service warns rainfall rates may exceed 3 inches an hour at times, though exactly when that could happen between Thursday through Friday evening remains uncertain.
The rain is coming from the first named storm of the season — Tropical Storm Arthur — that made landfall late Wednesday on the coast of Texas near the Louisiana border and has since been downgraded. That western side of the Gulf was predicted to get the worst of the rainfall, but remnants of the tropical system will continue to track eastward through Friday. The Weather Service is anticipating heavy rainfall associated with that movement.
Thunderstorms in North and Middle Georgia should start developing closer to the early afternoon, and the worst is expected to hit Thursday evening and through the overnight hours. Heavy rain is predicted to still be around early Friday before tapering off.
The stormy weather, which also prompted a flood watch from 8 a.m. Thursday through 2 a.m. Saturday for parts of North and Middle Georgia, comes as Atlanta gears up to host its second World Cup match. Czechia plays South Africa at noon Thursday at Atlanta Stadium, the home of the Atlanta Falcons.
At the FIFA Fan Festival, gates at Centennial Olympic Park opened at 9 a.m. and will close for entry at 2 p.m. Because of weather conditions, officials announced the Fan Fest will only run programming from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Guests holding GA+ and VIP tickets for Thursday will receive refunds, FIFA and city officials said. Information regarding refunds will be shared with ticket holders directly.
Sunday’s festival activities were also canceled early because of “severe weather” impacting the downtown area.
It’s unlikely roads will be flooded and chaotic by the time supporters are arriving at Atlanta Stadium and the festival, but pedestrians and drivers should be cautious on their way out and as they head to restaurants and bars to watch evening games.
Motorists should not attempt to go through flooded roads. Seek out alternate routes or turn around if needed, the Weather Service advises.
From 6 p.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday, parts of North and Middle Georgia will also be under a wind advisory. Gusts could reach up to 35 mph.
Additional showers coming Friday afternoon and evening will be from tropical moisture still in the area moving southward as a cold front pushes from the north of the state, according to the Weather Service.
Delta Air Lines is allowing travelers flying from Thursday through Saturday extra flexibility to change their travel plans.
Juneteenth celebrations have been happening all month, with more events Thursday, Friday and through the weekend. If storms prove strong, those events also could see cancellations or changes.
Saturday is looking to be drier, but the Weather Service predicts some showers in the evening into Sunday morning. Afternoon and evening thunderstorm chances will also hold steady through next week. Atlanta hosts its next World Cup game Sunday.
Credit: Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Credit: Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
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