UPDATE: 6:49 p.m.
Heavy rains have crept into the northern suburbs of metro Atlanta, but so far the Georgia Department of Transportation reports no significant traffic accidents in deluged areas.
A tornado watch has been canceled, though severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect in some areas. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. for much of the Atlanta region.
Traffic, meanwhile, remains typical for rush hour. There are plenty of delays on major highways, especially on the north side of metro Atlanta.
You can find the latest weather forecast here.
UPDATE: 6:00 P.M.
If you’re getting ready to leave work, be warned: Rain and storms may complicate your already challenging evening commute.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for much of the metro area, and Channel 2 Action News' live weather radar shows scattered showers – some of them heavy – popping up around the region. Heavier showers and possibly storms are on the way.
Meanwhile, the usual heavy rush-hour traffic has been complicated by several accidents and disabled vehicles. The going is slow in the usual spots – Spaghetti Junction, Ga. 400 northbound and I-75 in Cobb County.
You can get a more detailed weather forecast here.
Also, since it's getting dark and rainy, here's why you should never use your hazard lights while driving.
UPDATE: 5:22 p.m.
While you're waiting to leave the office, check out this video about how to drive in heavy rain.
UPDATE: 4:45 p.m.
So far, weather hasn't been much of a factor in this afternoon’s commute. But don’t think that means the driving is easy.
An accident on I-85 southbound near Pleasantdale Road has blocked the two right lanes. There’s also a disabled vehicle on I-285 southbound near Paces Ferry Road, and another has blocked the middle lane on I-75 soutbound near the junction of I-85 downtown. And traffic is generally backing up in the usual spots: the north side of the Perimeter, I-75 on the north and south side, Ga. 400 and I-85 and east side.
Rain is starting to creep into the Atlanta area. A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for much of the metro area, and storms are expected to hit around 6 p.m. , complicating this evening's commute.
You can learn more about the weather forecast here.
UPDATE: 3:57 p.m.
The rush hour has begun, and traffic – as usual – is slowing to a crawl in some places. On the north side of the Perimeter, westbound traffic is moving at around 21 mph in some stretches, while northbound Ga. 400 is crawling along at 8 mph in spots. Some areas of the east and west side of the Perimeter also are slowing down.
Channel 2 Action News' live weather radar shows no rain in the metro area yet. But we're under a severe thunderstorm watch, and the forecast calls for storms to hit around 6 p.m. and stick around until about 8 p.m. A tornado watch also has been declared for parts of north Georgia.
Original post:
As of 2 p.m., traffic on metro Atlanta highways was moving pretty well. But you’ve got more than the regular rush hour headaches to contend with today.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of north Georgia, and severe weather could hit Atlanta around 6 p.m. – just in time for the rush hour peak.
We’ll be monitoring area roads during the commute and will keep you up to date on conditions. You can check back here for updates.
Meanwhile, you can find more detailed information about the weather forecast on our weather page.
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