GEORGIA — A rainy week ahead of a sunny weekend is forecast for the Peach State.

The National Weather Service predicts rainfall in metro Atlanta should start after 4 p.m. Tuesday and could last through Friday.

Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms could largely drench far north Georgia Tuesday afternoon though weather officials said strong or an isolated severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out the forecast.

Potential hazards include strong wind gusts, frequent lightning and small hail, according to a hazardous weather outlook that incorporates metro Atlanta.

Thunderstorms could occur through Friday, with the most significant chance noted for late Wednesday night through Thursday night, weather officials said.

This is when damaging wind gusts, large hail and a brief, isolated tornado are possible, weather officials said.

Though the initial half of the week is expected to be dry in Savannah, Georgia's coastal town will not escape the downpour, according to the forecast. Rainfall could come as early as Thursday.

Anticipated high temperatures in the Savannah area are in the 90s before dropping to the 80s on Friday.

High temperatures in the metro are predicted to sit in the mid- to high 80s before dwindling to the 70s on Friday. Sunday, Mother's Day, in the metro is forecast to be sunny with a high temperature of 75 degrees.

As of 9:25 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service predicted the following detailed forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: A 10 percent chance of showers after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5-10 mph.

Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 85. Southwest wind 15-20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., then a chance of showers after 5 a.m. Low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80.