Atlanta forecast: More scattered storms Wednesday, but changes for the Fourth of July

Tuesday Night Weather Update

Scattered showers and storms into the evening, a few storms capable of damaging winds and brief heavy rainfall. Storms ending by midnight with fog forming toward morning. Wednesday will be sunny and dry. Hotter for the Weekend. Here is the breakdown.

ATLANTA - Georgia residents can expect mostly sunny skies and rising temperatures heading into the Independence Day weekend, according to forecasts from the FOX 5 Storm Team.

Storms possible again Wednesday

What they're saying:

"Still moderating with some showers and thunderstorms into the evening hours, but they should be ending toward midnight," FOX 5 Storm Team chief meteorologist David Chandley said Tuesday afternoon. "Just some clouds and fog and temperatures there in the lower 70s. Somewhat stable air and a little drier air in here for your Wednesday afternoon… lots and lots of sunshine."

By Wednesday, the threat of storms will taper off for much of North Georgia, although isolated afternoon showers remain possible in Central Georgia through Monday. Temperatures will gradually rise through the weekend, with highs expected to reach the low- to mid-90s in many areas.

Regional Georgia forecast

Local perspective:

In Atlanta, the forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and highs near 89 degrees Wednesday, climbing to 93 by Independence Day. Nighttime temperatures are expected to stay in the low 70s.

Rome and LaGrange will see highs around 90 degrees Wednesday, with temperatures peaking in the mid-90s by Friday and Saturday. Patchy fog is possible during the morning hours.

Blairsville, located in the North Georgia mountains, will remain slightly cooler with highs in the mid-80s to upper 80s through the holiday weekend. Rain chances return Sunday and Monday, with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms to start the next work week.

Athens and Gainesville will follow similar trends — sunny days through the weekend with a gradual warming trend. By July 4, both cities are expected to reach the upper 80s to low 90s.

Eatonton, where heat index values may approach the upper 90s, will see mostly sunny skies throughout the week. A slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms returns on Monday.

Fireworks forecast

What's next:

Overall, Chandley says Georgia is in for a dry and hot holiday: "We’re gonna put the thunderstorms on the back burner here right on through the Fourth of July weekend."

The next chance for scattered storms comes early next week, but forecasters say it’s nothing to cancel holiday plans over.