ATLANTA – March 16, 2026 — Many areas in North Georgia started Monday morning with severe thunderstorms, high winds, and the risk of brief tornadoes, according to updates from FOX 5 Atlanta and the National Weather Service. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for several counties, including Carroll, Cobb, and Paulding. Meteorologists noted that within this line of storms, "spin-up" tornadoes could form very quickly with little to no warning. Previously, a Tornado Warning was also briefly issued for DeKalb and Rockdale. — Damage Reported According to FOX 5 Atlanta, high winds in the early morning storms caused damage in various locations, similar to previous strong wind gust incidents that toppled trees in the area:
  • Downed trees in Woodstock (Cherokee County)
  • Downed trees in Sandy Springs (Fulton County)
  • Strong winds affecting parts of Carroll County
Additionally, many neighborhoods reported power outages to Georgia Power. — Over 20 Counties Under Tornado Watch A Tornado Watch has been issued until 10:00 AM ET for a long list of North Georgia counties, including: Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Forsyth, Hall, Cherokee, Clayton, Walton, Rockdale, and many surrounding areas. Meanwhile, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings apply to counties such as Gwinnett, Newton, Clarke, Walton, and Hall; instances of high winds hindering firefighters have also been recorded in some localities this morning. — High Winds and Heavy Rain are the Primary Risks Experts forecast the main risks to include:
  • Wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph
  • Heavy rain and frequent lightning
  • Quickly forming tornadoes within the storm line
Meteorologist Alex Forbes stated that warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico could help some storms produce strong tornadoes, especially as the American South faces continuous severe weather this season, with some potentially reaching EF-2 intensity. — Temperature Plummets Following the Storms As the line of storms moves toward Athens by late morning:
  • Cold air will rush in, causing North Georgia weather to flip in just a few hours.
  • Afternoon temperatures will drop to around 40°F.
  • Some areas of North Georgia may see light snow flurries.
However, experts indicate that significant snow accumulation is not expected.

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