Steady rain is falling all across North Georgia on Friday morning as Tropical Depression Nicole moves into the region after causing havoc in Florida.
Nicole had spent Thursday cutting across central Florida after making landfall as a rare November hurricane early that morning near Vero Beach, but the Daytona Beach area to the north bore the brunt of the damage. The storm made it to the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday evening before turning north.
It caused at least two deaths and sent homes along Florida’s coast toppling into the Atlantic Ocean and damaged many others, including hotels and a row of high-rise condominiums. It was another devastating blow just weeks after Hurricane Ian came ashore on the Gulf Coast, killing more than 130 people and destroying thousands of homes.
A few hours of rainfall and strong winds should be the worst local impacts from the tropical depression, the center of which is expected to pass east of Atlanta and over the western Carolinas later Friday, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan. Its center was located 70 miles southwest of Macon as of 4 a.m.
“We’ve got two major systems we’re following,” Monahan said. “One of course is Tropical Depression Nicole, bringing us the heavy rainfall right now, but as Nicole moves away, that’s going to open the doors to cold air. The coldest air of the season is going to move in Saturday night into Sunday.”
On Sunday morning, parts of North Georgia could wake up to temperatures in the upper 20s and low 30s for the first time since last winter, according to Monahan. The arctic blast will have the region trading the rain jackets for the heavy winter coats, he said.
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com
That’s still 48 hours away. On Friday morning, it’s the rain that could prove troublesome for commuters and wash out plans for Veterans Day observances around metro Atlanta. A wind advisory remains in effect through 7 p.m., with gusts up to 35 mph possible.
Add to that two major events planned in downtown Atlanta, and traffic could be a mess.
A memorial service is planned for slain rapper Takeoff at noon Friday at State Farm Arena. As that event should be wrapping up, concert-goers will begin heading to the neighboring venue Mercedes-Benz stadium, where Sheryl Crow, Lionel Richie and Billy Joel will be performing. The concert begins at 5:30 p.m.
“Due to other events around the stadium and the large crowd expected for the concert, fans should plan ahead and arrive early,” stadium officials advised those planning to attend. “Traffic will be very heavy around the stadium.”
The heaviest rain is falling north of the city on Friday morning, while areas in northwest Georgia are getting more light to moderate rain. All of it is steady, Monahan said, it will be several more hours before it starts to let up.
He is calling for waves of rain through much of morning as the center of Tropical Depression Nicole makes its closest pass. Nicole should eventually move north, taking with it the steady stuff but not wiping out rain chances entirely, Monahan said.
“That rain will gradually diminish by late this morning, and early this afternoon we are down to just some scattered showers,” he said. “Overnight, the rain should shut off for most of us.”
A few more showers are 30% likely Saturday as the cold front passes by, according to the latest forecast.
Temperatures should stay pretty steady Friday under the clouds and showers. Atlanta is starting the day in the mid-60s, and the projected high this afternoon is 68 degrees. Saturday should also see highs in the 60s, but the city is not expected to leave the 50s on Sunday.
— The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
About the Author
