FRIDAY’S WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Mix of sun, clouds after morning showers

Friday may not shape up to be a “perfect January afternoon” like North Georgia enjoyed on Thursday, but Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said it might come close.

Thursday saw mild temperatures, sunshine and mostly dry conditions. Friday will get two of the three, according to Channel 2.

“It’s going to be noticeably cooler though today,” Monahan said. “Yesterday we were at 57, and some spots were near 60. Today, just low 50s in town. That is nothing compared to what is coming this weekend.”

Atlanta’s projected high is 52 degrees Friday. That number is expected to fall by 10 for Saturday’s high as much colder weather moves into North Georgia, bringing the potential for snow in the mountains.

Monahan said a few spotty showers in the mountains Friday morning are moving into the northern Atlanta suburbs, but they should not amount to much.

“I don’t think it’s going to slow us down too much for the morning commute,” he said. “That’s good news for your Friday morning. As this cold front that’s driving some of these sprinkles moves away, we get into a little more sunshine.”

He expects the sun will be breaking through the clouds by lunchtime, and a mix of sun and clouds will carry North Georgia through the evening.

“Tonight that cold air really comes rushing into North Georgia,” Monahan said. “Around metro Atlanta, we’ll have a mix of clouds and sunshine to start the day Saturday. In the mountains... especially on some of those ridgetops, we’re going to have some snow showers and snow flurries tomorrow.”

Snow in the mountains could amount to a half-inch to an inch on grassy surfaces, according to Channel 2. The city looks like it will miss out on wintry precipitation again.

“In metro Atlanta tomorrow, it’s just cold,” Monahan said.

After freezing starts and highs in the 40s Saturday and Sunday, he said Atlanta will see the start of a “big warming trend” next week.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

There are no early delays on metro Atlanta interstates Friday morning, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. No major crashes have been reported as of 6 a.m.

The biggest jam is on a surface street heading out toward Dacula, traffic reporter Mark Arum said. A crash on Ga. 316 was blocking an eastbound lane at Hi Hope Road.

Gwinnett County commuters may want to allow some extra travel time as a result, Arum said.

» 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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