ATLANTA — A ground stop issued at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday afternoon in response to fast-moving summer storms was lifted early, airport and broadcast officials said, even as the region remained under a threat of additional storms through the weekend.
What happened and where
The ground stop went into effect at about 4 p.m. as severe weather moved across central Georgia. The National Weather Service had issued warnings for multiple counties; a severe thunderstorm warning for Greene, Jasper, Morgan and Putnam counties remained in effect until 6:45 p.m. before expiring. An earlier warning covering Greene, Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Putnam counties was in place until 6 p.m.
- Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — ground stop issued ~4 p.m., later lifted
- Counties with warnings: Greene, Jasper, Morgan, Putnam, Newton
- Immediate hazards: Lightning, damaging winds, heavy rain, potential for localized flooding
"Storms have the potential to become severe, with lots of lightning and damaging winds."
Broadcast meteorologists warned that late-afternoon and evening storms could produce winds of 50 to 60 mph, strong enough to bring down tree limbs and, in some cases, whole trees. Slow-moving cells also raised the prospect of localized flash flooding in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
Impact and what to expect
Travelers using Atlanta’s airport should check with their airlines for the latest arrival and departure information; ground stops and other air-traffic measures can create cascading delays. For people driving or spending time outdoors, officials urged caution because of frequent lightning and the potential for falling debris during high winds.
| County | Warning expiration |
|---|---|
| Greene | 6:45 p.m. (later warning) |
| Jasper | 6:45 p.m. |
| Morgan | 6:45 p.m. |
| Putnam | 6:45 p.m. |
| Newton | 6:00 p.m. (earlier warning) |
Forecasters say most active weather should diminish overnight, but widespread rainfall could continue over the weekend. North Georgia faces a heightened threat on Saturday, with early afternoon showers and storms expected across the far northern counties before moving into metro Atlanta later in the day and into the overnight hours. Temperatures are likely to be a bit lower where clouds and rain persist.
Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to local weather updates and alerts. News outlets and Severe Weather Team coverage remain available for up-to-the-minute information on storm tracks, possible warnings and travel impacts.
