The holiday exodus was expected to jam metro Atlanta highways, beginning early Wednesday afternoon.
All week, the state Department of Transportation has been posting warnings on overhead signs that motorists would likely encounter congested interstates beginning as early as noon.
At least the roads should be dry all day Wednesday and straight through the end of the holiday weekend.
Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday will be warm and sunny, but much cooler weather is forecast for the weekend.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton said afternoon highs will be in the upper 60s through Friday, with overnight lows in the mid-40s.
Saturday will be much different, temperature-wise, with highs only in the low 50s under sunny skies after morning lows in the upper 30s. Sunday will be sunny, with morning lows around the freezing mark, followed by afternoon highs in the mid-50s.
The dry forecast will be welcome news for those headed to Lenox Square for Thursday night’s lighting of the Macy’s Great Tree as well as for football fans going to Saturday afternoon’s Georgia-Georgia Tech game in Athens.
The Macy’s tree will be lit during ceremonies that begin at 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The festivities will be hosted by Channel 2 Action News anchor Jovita Moore and meteorologist David Chandley, and can be seen live on Channel 2.
Other weekend events include Thursday morning’s Atlanta Half-Marathon and Thanksgiving 5K, which begin and end at Turner Field.
Motorists will have something to be thankful for this weekend in addition to the great travel weather.
The state Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes across Georgia beginning at noon on Wednesday and extending until 9 p.m Sunday.
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