FIRST ALERT: Ian’s impact shifting away from Metro Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Ian continues to weaken over Central Florida Wednesday night. It will likely be a tropical storm by mid-morning on Thursday as it passes by Orlando. The storm will move into the Atlantic Ocean Thursday night and take aim at the Georgia and South Carolina coast on Friday. It will either be a strong tropical storm or minimal hurricane when it makes landfall between Savannah and the Charleston area on Friday. Heavy rain, storm surge and strong winds are likely at the Georgia coast.

Thursday looks like a mostly sunny to partly cloudy and breezy day. The wind will be between 15-30 mph out of the northeast. The high temperature will be in the upper 60s to low 70s after a morning low in the 40s to low 50s.

Ian impacts on north Georgia

Rain will increase from southeast to northwest throughout the afternoon Friday. North Georgia will see rain after sunset Friday, accompanied with gusty winds. Because Ian’s track continues to shift east (compared to earlier model runs), forecast impacts from Ian have diminished over North Georgia. Rain totals have come down, with less than a half-inch of rain forecast for Metro Atlanta. Areas in East Georgia could see 1-3 inches.

FIRST ALERT on Saturday

There is no longer a First Alert on Friday. A First Alert continues on Saturday for early morning showers and gusty winds early Saturday morning. The rain chances diminish Saturday afternoon. We could see wind gusts up to 30 mph in Metro Atlanta with stronger winds possible in far East Georgia.

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