After heavy rain fell all across North Georgia for hours overnight, roads are wet and slow for the Wednesday morning commute.
Parts of the region are starting to see some breaks in the rain as the sun comes up, but light showers continue in the northeast. Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Eboni Deon said rain is expected off and on throughout the day, with a round of strong to severe storms possible Wednesday evening.
“Getting out in it is not going to be fun, whatsoever,” Deon said before daybreak. “Factor in the extra time, pack your patience, and make sure that your kids are protected if they have to stand out there on the bus stops.”
Atlanta is starting the day damp but mild with temperatures in the 50s. With the clouds and showers around, Deon said those numbers won’t move much, eventually reaching a high of 62 degrees for a cooler afternoon than on Tuesday.
A storm system making its way across the Southeast is responsible for all the wet weather Wednesday. Deon is expecting the heavier, widespread rain to clear out by lunchtime before scattered showers and storms fire up again later in the afternoon.
“As we go through the day we’ll catch some breaks, so that’s good news,” she said. “One of those breaks will be in time as those kids are coming home from school. Between 2 and 3 p.m. we should be mostly cloudy. Maybe an isolated shower by then, but things are going to be much improved.”
The evening’s offering of storms will come with a chance for severe weather, according to the National Weather Service. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 1 warning for Atlanta and neighborhoods to the south, which is considered a marginal risk of severe weather and is the lowest threat level out of five.
“We’re mainly watching out for the heavy rain, some strong and gusty winds as well as hail,” Deon said.
Some areas could pick up an inch or two of rainfall before the day is done, she said.
Overnight, Deon expects the rain to clear out before a dry and mild start to St. Patrick’s Day. Sunshine in the forecast Thursday will see the return of 70s in metro Atlanta, according to Channel 2, and there will be no rain to trouble any celebrations outdoors.
Wet weather returns on Friday with an 80% chance of showers and storms, according to the latest forecast.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Multiple crashes have been reported on the wet roads, resulting in major delays for the Wednesday morning drive, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
Conditions are rough south of Atlanta, where multiple crashes have been reported on I-85 South in Union City. All lanes have been closed at times, the Traffic Center reported. Motorists can continue to use U.S. 29.
Inside the Perimeter, a crash on I-20 East was blocking multiple left lanes at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, according to the Traffic Center. To avoid the backups, use MLK Jr. Drive or U.S. 78.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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Credit: WSBTV Videos
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