WEDNESDAY’S WEATHER: More clouds, less rain after morning storms

Rain in the northeast could slow down the Wednesday morning commute, but the afternoon is looking a bit drier for metro Atlanta.

Showers and thunderstorms are 40% likely this morning and should turn scattered to isolated by the time motorists head home from work, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan.

“Overall, I think there’s going to be a little less rain than we saw yesterday,” Monahan said. “Don’t get used to that. The storm chances are going to come right back up tomorrow.”

Heavy rain is falling Wednesday morning across the mountains and parts of the eastern suburbs, triggering some predawn severe thunderstorm warnings. The early rides on I-85 and Ga. 316 could be rough as the slow-moving downpours continue their march toward Athens, Monahan said.

Severe thunderstorm warning just issued for Greene County until 5am -- frequent lightning, heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and hail all possible. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/SKFysRRnJD
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) July 20, 2022

Additional showers were developing to the west at daybreak.

With tons of humidity Wednesday, Monahan is expecting more clouds than rain by 9 a.m. and a partly to mostly cloudy sky over downtown Atlanta. There will still be some showers around at lunchtime, he said, but they shouldn’t be as numerous as in recent days.

“We’ll keep the rain chance at about 30% with an isolated storm at lunchtime, and the rain chance will go up a little bit for the evening drive,” he said. Atlanta’s projected high is 91 degrees Wednesday.

Widespread rain is more likely Thursday with a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms. There is also a possibility of severe weather Thursday afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, all of metro Atlanta is at a slight Level 2 risk of severe storms with heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and frequent lightning.

“We also have extreme heat building to our west, and that is headed our way this weekend,” Monahan said. “The rain chances come down, the heat goes up.”

Drier and hotter weather is in store Saturday and Sunday, with projected highs of 92 and 96 degrees, respectively. Rain will be 10% likely or less both days, according to the latest forecast.