Atlanta FIFA Fan Festival to end early Thursday as heavy rain, flooding risk moves in

The Atlanta FIFA Fan Festival will operate on a shortened schedule Thursday as heavy rain and the threat of flooding move across North Georgia. The festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with no guest entry after 2 p.m. Ticket holders with GA+ and VIP access for Thursday will receive refunds, with details provided directly to guests by organizers. Officials and the National Weather Service urged attendees to monitor updates and prepare for changing conditions. A Flood Watch covers much of North Georgia through early Saturday, with forecasts calling for 2 to 4 inches of rain and locally higher totals. The advisory warns that excessive runoff may flood rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying or flood-prone locations; rainfall may come in heavy bursts. A tropical moisture-laden system driving the downpours raises the risk of localized flooding, and forecasters warn of a low-end severe-weather threat including isolated strong storms and a spin-up tornado between roughly 7 p.m. and midnight. Conditions are expected to improve after the system moves out early Friday morning, but Thursday’s weather could still impact outdoor activities across metro Atlanta. Temperatures are forecast to reach the low- to mid-80s, with breezy conditions and periods of heavy rain before skies begin to clear heading into the weekend.