Allergy sufferers impacted by the sky-high pollen counts will likely get relief from air-cleansing rain this weekend, but along with that rain will come the risk of severe storms, forecasters said.
Friday's pollen count dropped to 2,017 particles per cubic meter of air, down from Thursday's reading of 3,939, but still well into the extremely high range.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist David Chandley said that there's a "good chance" of rain and storms throughout the weekend, and a slight chance that some of the storms could turn severe.
Chandley put the chance of rain at 70 percent on Saturday, 50 percent Saturday night and 60 percent on Sunday.
The National Weather Service said in a statement early Friday that numerous strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Friday night across central Georgia and on Saturday and Sunday over the northern half of the state.
"Flooding from heavy rains remains a threat to monitor through at least Monday," the Weather Service said.
After a chilly Friday morning of temperatures in the upper 30s across metro Atlanta and below freezing in extreme north Georgia, afternoon highs are expected to climb into the upper 60s, Chandley said.
Highs will again be in the 60s on Saturday before warming into the 70s on Sunday, with overnight lows in the 50s.
The weekend storms could affect plans by the state Department of Transportation to close three lanes of I-75 in each direction between Cumberland Boulevard and 17th Street for repaving. The lane closures, which are part of the ongoing resurfacing project, are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Friday and continue through 5 a.m. on Monday.
In addition to the I-75 project, the ramp from I-85 southbound to 17th Street will be closed all weekend for bridge joint work, according to DOT spokesman Mark McKinnon.
On I-20 on the west side, Georgia Power will be stopping traffic several times in both directions near the Hamilton E. Holmes Drive exit between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday to pull cable across the interstate, McKinnon said.
Crews will also be working on bridge joints in the two left westbound lanes of I-20 near Six Flags Parkway, he said.
Big events downtown this weekend include the Atlanta International Auto Show, which began on Wednesday and continues through Sunday at the Georgia World Congress Center, which is also hosting the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting through Saturday.
The Thrashers play Friday night and Sunday afternoon at Philips Arena, while the Hawks have a game Saturday night at the arena.
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