Tornado watch expires as severe storms move out of central Georgia

Strong storms that swept across Georgia early Thursday have moved out of the region, and the threat of severe weather has now ended, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City said the tornado watch that had covered parts of central and east-central Georgia has expired as the storm system pushed east.

While the severe weather threat has ended across north and central Georgia, CBS News Atlanta Meteorologist Troy Bridges says gusty winds behind the cold front could still cause problems throughout the day.

Wind Advisory in effect across North, Central Georgia 

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory through 8 p.m. Thursday, warning that north to northwest wind gusts could reach up to 35 mph across north and central Georgia.

Forecasters say the strong winds could still lead to additional downed trees and power outages, especially since heavy rain from the earlier storms has left the ground saturated.

Light rain is expected to continue for several hours in areas east of Interstate 75, but meteorologists say those showers should move out later Thursday morning.

Earlier in the day, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms moved across the state, prompting tornado warnings and watches across a large portion of Georgia. The storms brought the potential for damaging winds, heavy rain and brief tornadoes before weakening as they moved east.

Bridges said the storms were moving east at about 35 mph, producing wind gusts that at times approached 60 mph and periods of heavy rain.

Tornado watch ends for central and east-central Georgia

A tornado warning had been issued earlier Thursday morning for parts of Marion County, Chattahoochee County and Webster County before expiring once the immediate tornado threat weakened.

Several school systems delayed the start of classes Thursday morning because of the severe weather threat. 

Delayed school openings

Officials with the Meriwether County School System, Troup County School System and Rockdale County Public Schools all announced two-hour delays out of an abundance of caution.

Bridges says while the severe weather has moved out, residents should still use caution outdoors because of the gusty winds that may continue through the evening.

Looking ahead, the National Weather Service says another weather system could bring thunderstorms to the region Sunday into Monday, and some of those storms could become strong.

Stay with CBS News Atlanta for the latest weather updates.