Brief overnight showers were too light to help with Atlanta's pollen count, which continued to soar on Thursday.
Thursday's count hit 3,939 particles per cubic meter of air -- the highest so far this year. The main culprits were oak, birch, mulberry and sweetgum trees, according to the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic, which monitor's the city's pollen. The highest count last spring was 5,733 on April 7.
Rainfall totals from the brief showers included .07 inch at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, .05 inch in Marietta and .08 inch in Chamblee.
While the rainfall was light across metro Atlanta, strong storms just to the north caused widespread damage in Pickens County, authorities said.
High winds damaged numerous homes and businesses in Jasper as thunderstorms moved through north Georgia late Wednesday night.
Pickens County sheriff’s Lt. Ernie McArthur told the AJC that the damage appeared to have been caused by straight-line winds rather than a tornado.
He said no injuries were reported when the storm blew through Jasper around 11 p.m., downing trees and power lines and damaging roofs businesses and homes in the downtown area as well as along Ga. 515.
He didn’t have a count on the number of homes and businesses damaged. He said county emergency management officials were making damage assessments on Thursday.
Several roads were closed overnight by downed trees, but had been reopened by late Thursday morning.
The National Weather Service also reported trees down in Gordon and Walker counties.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist David Chandley said Thursday will be sunny, windy and cooler, with highs reaching only the mid-60s before falling into the upper 30s Thursday night.
Friday should again be sunny, with highs in the mid- to upper 60s, Chandley said.
A 40 percent chance of showers is forecast for Saturday, increasing to 60 percent on Sunday. Weekend highs should be in the mid-70s, with lows in the 50s.
About the Author
