MONDAY’S WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Humidity, temperatures on the rise

Humidity is on the rise Monday, but this weekend’s dry conditions will hold steady for the start of the work week, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said there should be no weather issues Monday, even as higher humidity will mean higher temperatures. The day is starting out warm with lows in the 60s.

“It’s going to be a hot afternoon, by the way, at least for this time of year,” he said. “We should be in the mid-80s. We’ll be close to 90 later today.”

With a mix of clouds and sunshine in the forecast, Atlanta’s projected high is 88 degrees. As the week goes on, Monahan said temperatures are going to drop, but rain chances will go up.

The city should see high temperatures in the low 80s by Wednesday, when scattered thunderstorms are 40% likely, according to Channel 2. Storms will be 60% likely Thursday and Friday as moisture from the next tropical system, Tropical Storm Nicholas, is slated to arrive in Georgia.

“Not washouts, but there will be rain and storms around,” Monahan said. “That is due in part to Tropical Storm Nicholas that’s going to dump a lot of rain on the Texas coast and the Louisiana coast. We’re watching that over the next few days, and eventually it’s going to affect our weather.”

The higher humidity Monday will also contribute to a hazy sky, he said. It’s likely North Georgia will again see smoke in the sky from the western wildfires.

“The smoke won’t be quite as intense, won’t be quite as thick today and tomorrow,” Monahan said. Wednesday’s rain should help to clear out the smoky haze, he said.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

There is no need to hurry out of the house Monday morning, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. There are speed limit conditions on every major metro Atlanta highway at 6:30 a.m.

“If you are about to head out on the roads, good news: No major delays out of the Southside,” traffic reporter Heather Catlin said. “If you’re coming in from Gwinnett on I-85, there are speed limit conditions down to the Perimeter.”

The same is true for I-75 out of the northwest suburbs as well as Ga. 400, where there is “nothing in the way to slow you down” through north Fulton County, 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.

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