Humidity is building back into North Georgia as a tropical system developing in the Gulf of Mexico makes its way toward the coast.
The system has not yet organized into a tropical depression or storm, but Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said it is likely to become one in the next 24 hours. The system, which would be named Claudette, is expected to reach the central Gulf Coast on Saturday and begin to curve northeast.
“Any time you have a tropical system approaching, even if it is a weak one, it’s going to mean an increased risk of strong storms and heavy rain,” Monahan said. “And we will see that as we go into your Sunday.”
Friday will be dry, but humidity and cloud cover are increasing, he said. The difference in the air will be noticeable for those stepping outside Friday morning, when temperatures are in the lower 70s to begin the day.
The extra clouds will help North Georgia reach the 90s on Friday afternoon, according to Channel 2. Atlanta’s projected high is 91 degrees.
“No rain from these clouds today, but that is going to change tomorrow and especially on Sunday,” Monahan said.
Those with Saturday morning plans should be just fine to get outside, he said, but rain will begin to spread in toward North Georgia on Saturday afternoon. A 60% chance of storms should be scattered, according to the latest forecast.
On the current storm track, Monahan said the tropical system is expected to pass north of metro Atlanta on Sunday. The chance for showers and storms increases to 90%, with the possibility of 2 to 4 inches of rainfall.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
It may be dry Friday, but there are big delays on I-75 in the northern suburbs after a crash shut down the interstate, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
A crash investigation is underway in the northbound lanes past the I-575 split in Kennesaw. The lanes have been closed since before 4:30 a.m.
“No change, and its been a few hours now,” traffic reporter Ashley Frasca said at 6 a.m. “All the through lanes are blocked north at Barrett Parkway, but traffic is being diverted off at Barrett.”
Drivers headed north can use I-575 or U.S. 19/41 to avoid the delays. The shutdown is not impacting southbound traffic headed into Atlanta, the Traffic Center reported.
There are also delays on a busy DeKalb County road. A crash in a construction zone has shut down the northbound lanes of Buford Highway at Shallowford Road, and drivers are advised to avoid the area, 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.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
About the Author
