ATLANTA (AP) — Forecasters say the potential for severe thunderstorms will be greatest Tuesday in parts of western and south Georgia -- an area south and west of Macon that includes the Columbus area.

Then, as a cold front moves across the state on Wednesday, National Weather Service forecasters say isolated severe storms are possible across most of the state.

On Christmas Eve, the storms are expected to strike areas in west Georgia -- such as Dalton, Rome, LaGrange and Columbus -- from 6 a.m. through noon Wednesday. Storms are possible from noon to 8 p.m. in eastern parts of Georgia.

The storms could cause damaging wind gusts and heavy rain.

Forecasters expect the heaviest total rainfall from the storms -- more than 4 inches in some spots -- in southwest Georgia.