CHRISTMAS WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Holiday brings clear skies, cool temperatures

ATLANTA FORECAST

Tuesday: High: 55

Tuesday night: Low: 33

Wednesday: High: 58

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

If you dreamed of a white Christmas ... sorry?

This year, Atlanta saw more of a “blue Christmas,” with clear blue skies for most of the day and highs in the mid-50s, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan.

While the holiday started out with temps in the 30s, things gradually warmed into the 50s by midday, Monahan said.

The average temperature for the week of Christmas is 52 degrees, according to Channel 2.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Wednesday will be even warmer than Tuesday, with a forecast high of 58.

“It really turns cloudy late in the day on Wednesday,” Monahan warned, “and then big changes happen.”

Thursday and Friday are expected to bring several inches of rain, with highs in the 60s. That could result in 2018 being one of the wettest years on record in Atlanta, Monahan said.

As expected, traffic maps were green all over metro Atlanta during Christmas , according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Those headed north will be able to make use of the I-75 express lanes through Cobb and Cherokee counties. The lanes will stay northbound Tuesday and reverse Tuesday at 11 p.m., after most Christmas festivities have concluded.

Temperatures this week should be just slightly north of average for this time of year.