Temperatures nearing record high of 98

By Raisa Habersham and Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta could match or exceed today's record high of 98,  according to David Chandley, meteorologist for Channel 2 Action News.

The record, set in 1986, could be in jeopardy today, and temperatures in the upper 90s will continue through the weekend, he said.

At noon, Atlanta's temperature had hit 89 degrees.

Chandley said it is too dry for thunderstorms, but that could change Saturday and Sunday.

“Any thunderstorms this weekend will be scattered,” he said. “There will be more dry places than wet ones.”

There is a heat advisory for Northeast Georgia through 8 pm. Saturday. The heat index is expected to top 100 in Atlanta, Chandley said.

And if you want to avoid heating up even more, consider yourself warned: If you have to drive on I-20 westbound in DeKalb County this weekend, it's going to take a while.

That's because the GDOT plans to continue roadwork, closing one lane from about a mile west of Panola Road to I-285, Monica Luck, GDOT spokeswoman said. Two travel lanes will remain open, but expect heavy delays in the area, Luck said.

Access to and from Wesley Chapel Road will also be closed, Luck said. Construction begins at 9 p.m. Friday and lasts until 5 a.m. Monday, she said.

If you're hoping to catch a baseball game this weekend, the first-place Atlanta Braves aren't in town. But you have three chances to catch the Gwinnett Braves in action at Coolray Field. The G-Braves play at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

For those who march to a different beat, the Drum Corps International Southeastern Championship will be held Saturday at the Georgia Dome. About 10,000 people are expected to attend the event, which includes Atlanta area groups.