Dense fog blanketing Atlanta on Thursday morning is not an indication of the sunshine headed this way for the afternoon.
Eventually, the low cloud cover will clear, and sunshine will push temperatures into the 70s for the warmest afternoon this week, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Jennifer Lopez. There is no rain in the forecast Thursday, perfect conditions for any outdoor plans in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
“It should be a great time to get out there and do whatever you need to do,” Lopez said. “Today is the day to do that, because tomorrow we’re going to notice some changes.”
Rain returns to the forecast Friday, she said. On Thursday morning, it’s dry but visibility is poor all across the region. A dense fog advisory is in effect for metro Atlanta until 10 a.m.
“The fog is very thick across our area, especially from Atlanta right down I-85, down to Newnan and all the way to LaGrange,” Lopez said. “Visibility has been less than a mile.”
There could be some moisture left on the roads after Wednesday night’s heavy rain. In Doraville, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center was reporting standing water on the I-85 South ramp to Buford Highway.
Once the clouds clear, Lopez said North Georgia is looking at a nice afternoon. Atlanta is headed for a projected high of 70 degrees as high pressure settles in across the region, she said.
With the dry and warm conditions, pollen levels are expected to rise Thursday. Levels were in the mild range Wednesday with a count of 50 pollen particles per cubic meter of air, according to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma, the organization that tracks the daily pollen count.
A new count is expected at 8 a.m., which will reflect the wet conditions Wednesday. Any pollen that accumulates Thursday is likely to be washed away by Friday’s rain.
After a dry and mild start in the 50s, Lopez said showers will arrive in North Georgia by noon Friday. The rain will be sitting over metro Atlanta by 2 p.m., and it could be heavy at times, she said.
Lopez expects showers and even thunderstorms to continue into Friday night, but she said they should clear out early Saturday. An inch of accumulation is possible across North Georgia, with higher amounts from Jasper to Rome, according to Channel 2.
“Watching out for a good, soggy rain to come our way,” Lopez said. “It’s just one day, and then we’re into the weekend and the sun returns with temperatures back in the 60s.”
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
With wet pavement Thursday morning, the Traffic Center has sounded multiple red alerts, and the morning drive is just getting started.
All eastbound lanes of I-20 are blocked with a crash at I-285 in Fulton County, the Traffic Center reported at 6:30 a.m. Delays are expected to grow quickly, and motorists are advised to use U.S. 78.
In Cobb County, all lanes are blocked at times on I-75 North at Delk Road while authorities respond to a crash involving at least one tractor-trailer. Commuters can take U.S. 41 to get into Marietta, according to the Traffic Center.
» 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.
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