North Georgia is in the middle of another wet weekend, with a flood watch in effect for all of the northern part of the state through Sunday afternoon.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for heavy rains to arrive tonight, including some isolated thunderstorms, though no severe weather is expected. Up to an inch or more of rain is likely in Gainesville and surrounding areas. About a third of a inch was recorded at the NWS automated station at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport between 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday.
Heavy rains could cause already full creeks and rivers to rise, especially in low-lying areas prone to flooding.
Lake Lanier’s water level was at 1,072.60 feet above sea level Saturday afternoon, 2 feet above full winter pool over 1,070.
Tonight’s rains will come with cool temperatures around 40 degrees and winds gusting up to 15 mph. Showers will continue until Sunday afternoon before tapering off with temperatures in the low 50s.
Clouds and a chance of rain will continue Sunday night through Monday, with cool temperatures. The sun is expected to reappear by Tuesday, with New Year’s Day clear and cold with a high in the upper 40s.