Peachtree Road Race expected to start under red flag alert on hot July 4th

The days leading up to the Fourth of July holiday will keep high temperatures blasting into the 90s, a heat index pushing “feels-like” temps into the 100s and possible scattered storms.

Saturday is expected to be much of the same. A backyard cookout and fireworks show on July 4 may sound ideal. Or, maybe you’re running the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race, which is expected to begin under a red flag, indicating potentially dangerous conditions.

But a forecast calling for very hot temperatures to continue may have you looking for a backup for some of those outdoor plans — at least the ones taking place after high noon.

North Georgia has felt like an oven, with several advisories issued recently.

Until 8 p.m. Thursday, an extreme heat warning for far northwest Georgia and a heat advisory in much of North Georgia are in effect, according to the National Weather Service.

A high of 98 degrees is expected, and the heat index will make it feel like 106 degrees in Atlanta by the midafternoon.

“Hot conditions persist through much of the week into the weekend, with heat index values forecast to be in the 100s each day,” the agency said Thursday morning.

Thursday also brings a Level 2 of 5 threat for severe thunderstorms in metro Atlanta and other parts of North Georgia between 2 and 10 p.m. It’s possible storms could become strong with damaging wind gusts and hail, according to the Weather Service.

Similar conditions could come Friday, though the Weather Service has not stated if strong storms are expected.

On Saturday, for the Fourth of July holiday, the NWS warns Atlanta will reach a high of 96 degrees by 2 p.m., and the heat index means it will feel like 101. Temperatures will begin falling off around 5 p.m., but it will still be in the 90s through at least 8 p.m.

During the Peachtree Road Race, temperatures will be in the upper 70s to mid-80s depending on when you start and finish that morning. By 11 a.m., Atlanta will be at 90 degrees.

The Atlanta Track Club says a red flag is the highest alert level before event cancellation.

Drink lots of water during the race and remember that you can take walking breaks.

“We encourage all participants to arrive prepared, have a race plan that accounts for the weather, and prioritize their health and safety above performance goals,” the track club said in a news release.

Rain chances will remain low for the entire holiday, though the likelihood is expected to increase slightly around noon. Rain chances will reach about 30% around 5 p.m. The Weather Service predicts scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

Still, not that much rain is expected.

“In any given spot, rainfall amounts between (Thursday) and Sunday will be on the lower side,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said, adding that Atlanta could see areas with up to an inch of rain, but less is likely.

Across the area, the North Georgia mountains may be the only place where highs will be in the upper 80s, according to the Weather Service. Still toasty, but more manageable.