Atlanta and North Georgia Face First Alert Weather Day as Wave of Severe Storms, Several Inches of Rain, and Flash Flooding Move Through Between 5 and 9 PM Monday
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for the Atlanta metro and North Georgia as a wave of storms moves from south to north between 5 and 9 PM Monday May 25, 2026. Several inches of rain and flash flooding are both possible, along with isolated severe storms, as the evening storm line pushes through one of the busiest travel corridors in the Southeast on Memorial Day evening.
What the Radar Shows at 7 PM Monday
The First Alert forecast radar valid at 7 PM Monday shows the storm line already well organized and pushing northward through the Atlanta metro and surrounding communities.
Radar conditions by location at 7 PM:
| Location | Radar Status |
|---|---|
| Atlanta metro | Heavy red and orange returns, storm line moving through |
| Carrollton | Intense activity, heavy rainfall |
| Ellijay | Red returns indicating heavy to intense rainfall |
| Canton | Active heavy returns |
| Gainesville | Storm line approaching and pushing through |
| Rome | Heavy rainfall on western edge of system |
| Griffin | Activity moving northward through |
| Birmingham area western edge | Heavy storm activity on far left of radar |
| Augusta area | Separate heavy cells developing to the east |
| Greenville / Spartanburg corridor | Activity on the northeast edge |
The storm line shows red and deep orange reflectivity values concentrated through the Atlanta metro corridor, indicating the heaviest rainfall rates are centered directly over the city and immediate surrounding communities during the evening hours.
Timing of the Storm Wave from South to North
The storm system is tracking on a clear south to north trajectory through the evening hours.
Estimated storm timing by location:
| Time Window | Areas Being Impacted |
|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | Southern Atlanta metro, LaGrange, Griffin corridor |
| 6:00 PM | Atlanta core, Carrollton, Macon northern edge |
| 7:00 PM | Atlanta metro, Canton, Ellijay, Gainesville |
| 8:00 PM | Northern suburbs, Helen, Athens corridor |
| 9:00 PM | Far northern Georgia, approaching Greenville area |
Anyone in the Atlanta metro and North Georgia should expect the most intense conditions to arrive between 6 and 8 PM with the heaviest rain and strongest storm potential concentrated in that window.
Threats With This Evening Storm System
First Alert Weather Day hazards:
- Several inches of rain possible with the heaviest cells moving through
- Flash flooding is a direct threat given Memorial Day weekend rainfall already saturating soils
- Isolated severe storms possible with the most intense cells
- Rapid onset flooding on roads, underpasses, and low lying areas
- Dangerous driving conditions during peak storm timing between 5 and 9 PM
- Lightning with all storm cells throughout the evening
Memorial Day Evening Travel Directly Impacted
The 5 to 9 PM timing places this storm system squarely over one of the highest traffic windows of the Memorial Day holiday, as millions of travelers make their way home across the Southeast.
Travel impacts to expect:
- I-20, I-75, I-85, and I-285 through the Atlanta metro will see heavy rain and reduced visibility
- Standing water and flooding on roadways is likely during peak rainfall rates
- Never drive through flooded roads regardless of water depth appearance
- Delay departure if possible until after 9 PM when storm activity begins to clear
- Allow significantly extra travel time if driving through the Atlanta area this evening
Flash Flooding Remains the Primary Concern
With soils already saturated from prior rainfall across Georgia and the broader Southeast, the flash flooding threat with this evening system is elevated. Even areas that receive less than the heaviest totals could experience rapid water rises as runoff has nowhere to absorb quickly.
- Do not walk through flooded areas
- Move to higher ground if water begins rising near your location
- Monitor local NWS flash flood warnings as they may be issued during the evening hours
- Keep phones charged and weather alerts enabled through the evening
Stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for continuing updates on the Atlanta and North Georgia Memorial Day evening storm system and flash flood threat.
