Atlanta weather | 86-degree day breaks record set in 1978

The temperature in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon climbed to 86 degrees, breaking the record set in 1978.

Atlanta’s previous record high for April 8 — 85 degrees — was eclipsed by one degree late Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures are expected to again reach the mid-80s on Thursday, Channel 2 Action News chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said, but drop closer to normal levels by the weekend.

Check the latest forecast here.

Rain on Friday should hold afternoon readings in the upper 70s. Morning lows will be in the mid-60s Thursday and Friday, Burns said.

The chance of rain is 30 percent Thursday afternoon, increasing to 70 percent on Friday.

Channel 2’s weekend forecast calls for a 10 percent chance of rain Saturday, increasing to 30 percent Sunday. Highs will be in the mid-70s Saturday and Sunday, with lows in the upper 50s.

Atlanta’s normal high for this part of April is 71, and the normal low is 49.