Athens Radio Club

Hurricane Isaias

Hurricane Isaias will bring significant impacts to the area through early Sunday, including prolonged strong, gusty winds, heavy rainfall with possible flooding, and the threat of several tornadoes.

Rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches are expected across much of the Southeast, including northeast Georgia. Locally higher amounts are possible, with totals up to 10 inches in some areas, especially across the Southern Appalachians.

Heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding, urban flooding, and rising rivers and streams. Flooding and landslides are also possible in the mountainous areas of north Georgia.

Residents should complete preparations for strong winds and possible power outages, secure loose outdoor items, and make sure they have a reliable way to receive weather warnings, especially overnight.

Conditions are expected to improve as the remnants of Isaias move away from the region on Sunday.

Short Term Forecast
(Today through Sunday)
Issued at 509 AM EDT Sat Oct 10 2026

Isaias has become post tropical but continues to be the major factor in the forecast for the remainder of the short term. It made landfall yesterday as a strong Category 2 and the remainder of the eye continues to make its way north through Alabama. Peak wind gusts for the metro area are expected after 8 AM and should finally begin to ease after midnight. Gusts up to 45 MPH will be possible during this time causing power outages and downed trees.

Rainfall totals through the short term continue to come in at around 2-4 inches, though the possibility for higher totals continues to dwindle in the areas of the heaviest rain bands this afternoon. As a result, our flood watch will continue until 8 AM on Sunday. There is the possibility the end time will change, given the speed at which the remnants of the storm are moving.

Tropical tornadoes will continue to be a threat that will ramp up as we introduce some heating to the area. The threat is largely along I-85 and south though the metro is included in a Marginal Risk as well. Tropical tornadoes spin up quickly and are often short lived, but continue to have multiple ways of receiving warnings.

Lingering impacts from the storm are expected to come to an end Sunday evening as its picked up by a strong northerly jet into the mid Atlantic. Its still a serious situation, so please continue to heed warnings and local authorities.

Extended Forecast
(Sunday night through Friday)
Issued at 509 AM EDT Sat Oct 10 2026

The long term picks up after the remnants of Isaias are not but a memory. Dry air will settle in across the southeast and bring back a little bit of summer on the backside. Highs in the mid to upper 80s are expected as high pressure keeps winds out of the west. Drier conditions will start off the long term, but as the high slowly meanders to the east, we`ll start to see a moisture return by the middle part of the work week brining afternoon heat index values back into the 90s.

Expect overnight lows to be comfortably in the 50s and 60s for much of the area with winds becoming light and variable during the overnight hours. By next weekend, some of the model runs are beginning to indicate the possibility for a strong cold front to push down from the north that will bring fall back into the region. But for the meantime, enjoy a little bit more late summer and plenty of sunshine.

Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight...Saturday

Impacts from Post Tropical Cyclone Isaias continue and will last into early Sunday. Threats include strong, gusty winds, heavy rain causing flash and river flooding, and a few tornadoes.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday...

Impacts from Post Tropical Cyclone Isaias will continue into early Sunday. Threats include strong, gusty winds, heavy rain causing flash and river flooding, and a few tornadoes.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is requested for this evening through Sunday afternoon. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS, while following all local and state guidelines.

Athens Area Forecast from NWS

National Hurricane Center - hurricanes.gov

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