Rain Monday night could mix with sleet

By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A wintry mix of precipitation is forecast for Monday night for areas of the state as far south as metro Atlanta, but no travel problems are expected as temperatures should remain above freezing.

Tuesday night, however, could be another story, as forecasters are warning of the risk of  icy roads as temperatures fall well below freezing.

"The main threat will be the formation of black ice late Tuesday night and early Wednesday as wet roads from Tuesday's rain encounter temperatures falling into the mid- to upper 20s," the Weather Service said in a statement early Monday.

Forecasters said a light wintry mix of precipitation would move into extreme northwest counties of the state by 11 a.m. and move eastward into northeast Georgia by early afternoon. No significant accumulations were expected, the Weather service said.

By tonight, light sleet could mix with rain as far south as Fulton and DeKalb counties.

"Most areas are expected to remain above freezing with little or no accumulation of sleet anticipated," the Weather Service said. "However, higher elevations of the north Georgia mountains may see a light accumulation of ice as temperatures approach freezing."

Any wintry precipitation is expected to change over to all rain by early Tuesday morning.

Isolated icy patches led to several wrecks in metro Atlanta during Monday's morning commute. At least two motorists -- one an off-duty Fulton County sheriff's deputy-  wrecked on an icy stretch of Marietta Boulevard in northwest Atlanta before 8 a.m. At least one person was transported to a local hospital from a vehicle that had overturned.

In DeKalb County, the state Department of Transportation reported that a lane of Memorial Drive was shut down at East Lake Drive because of ice.

The chance of rain is 40 percent Monday night, increasing to 100 percent on Tuesday before the rain tapers off late in the day. Metro Atlanta lows will be in the upper 30s, followed by highs Tuesday in the mid-40s.

Tuesday night will be partly cloudy and colder, with lows around 27 degrees, the Weather Service said.

Sunny skies are forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, with highs in the mid- to upper 40s and lows in the upper 20s.

A slight chance of rain is predicted for Friday, when highs will be in the mid-40s.