A line of strong storms swept through metro Atlanta on Thursday morning, causing widespread rainfall and prompting a tornado watch and ground stop at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The tornado watch initially encompassed all of North Georgia and the metro area but gradually shifted southward as the morning progressed. While the watch remains in effect for areas south of Macon, two tornado warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service.

At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the ground stop was lifted at 12:45 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. However, a ground delay will persist until 6 p.m., resulting in flights into Atlanta experiencing a one-hour delay. At least two dozen flights have already been canceled, according to FlightAware.

In southwest Atlanta, strong winds toppled or snapped three trees along Cherokee Avenue near Grant Park. As a result of the fallen trees, a couple of power poles were also brought down. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no homes or vehicles were damaged.

Counties north of Atlanta were hit hard by the inclement weather overnight. The initial band of storms resulted in heavy rainfall in the North Georgia mountains and triggered tornado watches and warnings in some northern counties. The second wave of storms arrived in the city around 8:30 a.m., followed by the latest wave around 11 a.m. Rain is expected to continue into the afternoon.

These intensifying storms are a consequence of rising temperatures throughout the morning. Meteorologist Karen Monahan explained that the warm and humid air in and around the city created favorable conditions for the storm energy to persist as the storms moved into metro Atlanta. She warned that the storm system would not weaken as it moved through the area.

As of 1:30 p.m., Georgia Power reported 36 outages affecting approximately 5,000 customers within the I-285 Perimeter. Statewide, Georgia EMCs reported 16,733 affected customers, while 13,866 customers were without power across the state.

These storms are part of a deadly system that has impacted various parts of the country this week. According to the Associated Press, torrential rain and tornadoes have caused at least four fatalities since Monday. Overnight, Tennessee and North Carolina experienced damaging tornadoes and massive hail, resulting in three additional deaths.

Gilmer County in Georgia has also faced significant damage from strong winds, including the toppling of an RV and the destruction of several structures. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

Looking ahead, meteorologist Ashley Kramlich warns of another potential threat tonight, primarily impacting areas south of the city into Friday morning. This next wave of severe storms may bring strong to severe conditions accompanied by heavy rainfall. However, after this final wave, a cold front will move in, bringing drier air and setting the stage for a mild and sunny weekend, just in time for Mother's Day.

Residents are advised to stay updated by visiting www.ajc.com/weather for a detailed forecast and downloading The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go. Traffic information can be obtained by listening to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and following @WSBTraffic on X, formerly Twitter.