Downpours, strong winds expected Saturday throughout Middle Georgia, forecasters say
With Tropical Storm Nestor’s arrival altering weekend plans for many in the region, forecasters in Georgia said that as the storm’s remnants sweep across the region on Saturday nearly 2 inches of rain are possible here.
The southeast portion of the state may hear rumbles of thunder and also see a slight chance of isolated tornadoes.
Coupled with the potential for sustained winds of 25 mph and gusts to 40 mph, the midstate’s weekend — at least the Saturday portion of it — looks to be one for avoiding the elements.
As for what precisely to expect weather-wise in Macon, Peachtree City-based National Weather Service forecaster Ty Vaughn on Friday said folks should prepare for “a pretty decent amount of rain.”
Vaughn said temperatures will climb into the middle 60s and that sustained winds may reach 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph possible.
“I guess the bullseye for heavy rain is more in southern Georgia,” Vaughn said, “but Macon could see roughly 2 inches of rain.”
Despite the downpours, don’t expect local college football games to be washed out.
Up in Athens on Saturday night, the University of Georgia welcomes Kentucky to what will likely be a soggy Sanford Stadium. (As if the formerly third-ranked Bulldogs and their fans need more rain on their parade in the wake of last Saturday’s loss to unranked South Carolina.)
The high temperature there is forecast for 59 degrees with a little less rain, though precipitation is still likely at kickoff with wind gusts topping 20 mph.
Meanwhile at Mercer University, which is scheduled to host VMI at 3 p.m., Jim Cole, the school’s director of athletics, seemed only half kidding when he offered free rain ponchos to anyone in attendance at Five Star Stadium.
“Tell the folks if they can brave it, we’d love to have them,” Cole said Friday. “We’ll give them a free poncho. ... Just say, ‘All you’ve got to do is email Jim Cole and he said he’ll give you a free poncho.’ ... I’ll go to Walmart as many times as I have to.”
While tailgating and other pregame activities may be limited by the foul weather, rain rarely halts action on the gridiron.
“We’ll have fun with it,” Cole said.
Rain was expected to begin here about 6 a.m. Saturday and not taper off until the evening hours.
“By 6 a.m. on Sunday,” Vaughn said, “most of it should be out of the area.”
Some events affected by Saturday’s expected inclement weather:
- The Ocmulgee Alive! River Cleanup in Macon has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26.
- Oktoberfest in Perry has been moved to Rozar Park.
This story was originally published October 18, 2019 at 12:41 PM.