Forecasters have issued a flood watch covering most of Georgia as rainfall of up to 4 inches is expected to fall in parts of the state.

The National Weather Service said the flood watch will be in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. It covers parts of north Georgia and all of central Georgia, from the Gainesville area in the northeast to Americus and Vidalia in south Georgia. It also includes several major cities such as Atlanta, Columbus and Macon.

Forecasters at the weather service said rainfall amounts of 4 inches can be expected in central Georgia.

They said rainfall of around 2 inches can be expected in parts of north Georgia.

Tags: National Weather Service, flooding, flash flood watch, Georgia weather, flood watch, bad weather