Portions of southern Georgia were under a variety of weather warnings early today as drenching rain fell across other portions of the state, including Richmond and Columbia counties.

“A strong upper-level weather system currently moving eastward over the Red River Valley,” said an advisory from the Storm Prediction Center. “In Georgia, conditions are favorable for widespread showers and thunderstorms with the threat of severe thunderstorms in the extreme south.”

Although the advisory mostly covers southern portions of the state, the weather system is expected to spread eastward during the day.

“Outside of the threat area, widespread showers and thunderstorm will be possible through this afternoon in the north and into tonight in the south. The anticipated rainfall that is expected this morning and afternoon, coupled with the nearly saturated soil conditions from earlier rain events, has caused the National Weather Service in Peachtree City to issued a flash flood watch for the northern third of Georgia that is valid through this evening.”

Rainfall totals for this morning and afternoon in northern Georgia could exceed two inches which could cause some small stream flooding; however, no significant flood event is anticipated, according to the National Weather Service.

Thurmond Lake, which has risen steadily during the fall, was at 328.05 feet above sea level early today. The reservoir’s full pool is 330.

Tonight will have fog and an 80 percent chance of rain, with isolated thunderstorms after midnight and a low in the mid-50s.