After light Friday showers clear, forecasters expect a sunny and slow-paced weekend that is somewhat cooler than the veritable heat wave the area’s experienced in recent days.
Which makes for pleasant bargain-hunting weather, with only nine shopping days until Christmas.
“Expect only a 30 percent chance of light showers through this evening, with unseasonably warm temperatures,” Newstalk WSB 750 AM and Now 95.5 FM Radio meteorologist Kirk Mellish said.
Highs that will hover just below 70 Friday will drop to 55 by day’s end.
“There’ll be a few scattered showers early Friday evening,” Mellish said.
Low temperatures will drop to 36 degrees overnight, with sunny skies and highs only reaching 55 on Saturday.
Look for more sunshine on Sunday and Monday, with Sunday highs of 58 and Monday highs reaching 60.
On the roads morning rush-hour traffic was “lighter than usual,” WSB –TV and AJC’s Gridlock Guy Mark Arum said.
An open scrimmage at Philips Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. will give Atlanta Hawks fans a first look at the 2011-2012 squad and could mean increased evening traffic volume around the Georgia Dome complex.
The Georgia Department of Transportation reports that in several locations on I-285 and I-75 near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, up to four lanes will be closed during the overnight hours for overhead sign work.
Additionally, on I-285 westbound one left lane at Riverdale Road, and one right lane at Old National Highway will be closed all weekend for bridge work.
Since the Falcons played Thursday night and both Georgia Tech and Georgia State men’s basketball programs are on the road over the weekend, there won’t be huge athletic attractions drawing spectators to town.
Don't be surprised, however, by gridlock leading toward 17th Street, where shoppers will be heading to Atlantic Station to complete their Christmas shopping.
Other malls around the area may see heavy traffic as the countdown to Christmas winds down over the weekend.
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