This satellite image provided by NOAA and annotated by the source shows Tropical Storm Ida moving north in the Gulf of Mexico.

A flash flood watch for North and Central Georgia -- including Gordon. Floyd, Polk, Bartow, Chattooga, Catoosa and Walker counties -- is in effect through Wednesday morning, with widespread heavy rain of 3 to 5 inches predicted in parts of North Georgia.

By 9 a.m. today, 0.58 inches of rain has been recorded at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport.

Ida's winds had dissipated to about 50 mph by the time it made landfall at Dauphin Island, Ala., shortly before 7 a.m. this morning. Dubbed a "rainmaker," Ida is expected to soak the South for the next 24 hours from Alabama to the Carolinas.

Rain is expected throughout the day and tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

A wind advisory also has been issued for the area. Winds here are expected to be 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Georgia climatologist David Stooksbury says most of the northern half of the state is vulnerable to flash flooding because of already swollen streams and saturated soil. He said the ground’s moisture level is in the 99th percentile, which means it would be drier in 99 of the last 100 years.

Here is the complete forecast:

Today: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 60. East wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Tonight: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 51. Northeast wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Veterans Day: Rain likely, mainly before 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 62. North wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 68.