The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for north central Newton County and central Walton County until 7:15 p.m.

Expects scattered to numerous thunderstorms in Newton County and across north and central Georgia today, with some severe storms possible.

The primary threats from the storms are the possibility of damaging wind, hail and isolated tornadoes. There's a 40 percent chance of storms today and a 50 percent chance overnight.

The good news is that the storms could douse Newton County and environs with three-quarters to 1 inch of rain.

It's going to be not quite as hot on Thursday, with a predicted high of 89 and an overnight low of 63. Friday, expect a high of 85, followed with a high of 89 for Saturday, 90 for Sunday and again of 89, and a high of 90 on Sunday and Memorial Day on Monday. The low will be in the mid 60s each night.

Rain would be welcome. There's been no rain recorded at the FFA-FCCLA Center in Newton County since May 14 when a trace of rain was measured. The last significant rainfall was 1.51 inches that was reported on April 28.

The area has received 17.17 inches of precipitation since Jan. 1. That's a deficit of 5.23 inches or 30 percent to be expected locally in an average year.