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Atlanta weather | The worst is over, but tornado watch remains in effect 6:55 p.m.: That tornado watch in Alabama across the state line from Troup County is over.Coach Handbags 6:47 p.m.: The National Weather Service has lifted its severe thunderstorm warning for DeKalb, Clayton, Rockdale, Henry and Newton counties, but one remains in effect for Troup and Meriwether counties in southwest Georgia. The tornado watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. for a band of the state from LaGrange to Athens. 6:38 p.m.: There is a tornado warning in Alabama just over the state line from southwest Georgia's Troup County, near LaGrange. Troup and Meriwether counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning. 6:37: p.m.: Flights from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are being delayed up to two hours, the Federal Aviation Administration reported on its website. 6:30 p.m.: The National Weather Service lifts its tornado warning for South Fulton. Now, there are no tornado warnings remaining in Georgia, though several counties -- in a band from LaGrange to Athens, including metro Atlanta -- remain under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. There is also a severe thunderstorm warning for DeKalb, Clayton, Rockdale, Henry and Newton counties. (The National Weather Service's definition of a "watch" is that threatening weather is possible, while a "warning" means the threatening weather has been spotted or is expected.) 6:20 p.m.: The National Weather Service's severe thunderstorm warning extends east, from Atlanta and central and southern Fulton County into DeKalb, Clayton, Rockdale, Henry and Newton counties. It's also still in effect west of Atlanta, in Douglas County. The tornado warning is also still in effect in southern Fulton County, until 6:30 p.m. 6:10 p.m.: A "ground stop" is in place for all planes arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration says. 6:08 p.m.: Weather sirens blaring in Douglas County. 6:05 p.m.: Georgia Power says via Twitter that the number of customers without power is up to 12,000 statewide (4,400 in North Fulton County, 800 in DeKalb County, 4,000 in Hall Co. and 1,000 Bartow County.) 6:03 p.m.: The National Weather Service has lifted the severe thunderstorm warning for most counties, except for central Fulton County and points west. 6:01 p.m.: Flights out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are being delayed between an hour and an hour and 15 minutes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. 5:56 p.m.: Now the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for southwest Fulton County and Douglas County until 6:30 p.m. 5:55 p.m.: The National Weather Service's severe thunderstorm warning reaches Atlanta. 5:48 p.m.: Hall County outages total 4,000, Channel 2 Action News is reporting. 5:45 p.m.: 8,000 customers statewide lost power according to 11 Alive News. Outages are in Cherokee, Hall, Gordon and Bartow counties. 5:40 p.m.: No more tornado warnings. The National Weather Service map is showing only tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings and watches. The severe thunderstorm warnings are in Gwinnett County and counties northeast of there, and in Paulding County and west. 5:36 p.m.: Storm blows down trees in Alpharetta, according to Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. 5:27 p.m.: The storm is moving into the Lawrenceville area, with heavy rainfall, says Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services. 5:26 p.m.: The hail in Cherokee County was golf-ball sized. 5:25 p.m.: Beware lightning. Channel 2 Action News is reporting strikes in the thunderstorm warning areas. 5: p.m.15 p.m.: Kennesaw, Woodstock and Acworth are clear now, says Channel 2 Action News. 5:12 p.m.: Sirens still blaring in Roswell.Fashion Coach Sling Bags 5:08 p.m.: Storm moving toward Ga. 400 at 65 m.p.h., says Glenn Burns, Channel 2 Action News chief meteorologist. 5:02 p.m.: Roswell Fire Department announces a tornado warning for Roswell: "Please take cover and tune into your local news," the department says. Sirens blaring there. 4:55 p.m.: Channel 2 Action News reporting that the tornado warning has been extended to 5:45 p.m. and now includes Fulton and Forsyth counties in addition to Cobb and Cherokee. Noting the storm's timing with rush hour, Channel 2 chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said on TV: "I cannot think of a worse scenario than this." ---------------------------------- The National Weather Service is warning of the possibility of a twister touchdown in parts of north metro Atlanta. The tornado warning for northern Cobb and southern Cherokee counties plus southern Bartow and northeastern Paulding counties until 5 p.m. A tornado watch remained in effect for much of the rest of northwestern Georgia, and a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for several counties north and east of Cobb until 5:30 p.m. There were scattered reports of hail just before 5 p.m., including in southern Cherokee County. The twister watch applies to 33 counties in the north and west portions of Georgia, including metro Atlanta. It applies to areas north of a line from LaGrange to Athens, and is in effect until 8 p.m. The National Weather Service says a "watch" means the threatening weather is possible while a "warning" means the threatening weather has been spotted or is expected. Storms capable of producing isolated tornadoes, damaging winds of 70 mph and hail were expected to move through the area between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Channel 2 Action News meteorologist David Chandley told the AJC Monday afternoon. He said as much as a half inch of rain could fall. The National Weather Service placed areas south of that line under a slight risk for severe storms. Tuesday's forecast is for a clear, sunny day with a high in the low 60s -- down from Monday's temperatures in the 70s. The tornado watch comes one day before the official start of tornado season. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency noted the close timing in a statement Monday, advising people to read up on tornado preparedness at the agency's website. Their advice includes sheltering in an interior room away from windows, listening to NOAA Weather Radio and monitoring other media and watching for downed power lines in the aftermath of a storm.Coach Hobos Bags