Rain isn’t letting up for metro Atlanta anytime soon.
After a soggy weekend, during which some neighborhoods recorded more than 2 inches of rainfall, more showers are in Monday’s forecast, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Eboni Deon. Additional rain on saturated ground could make for messy conditions, she said, including the possibility of downed trees.
After lighter rain Monday morning, Deon expects Atlanta will “be dealing with some heavier downpours as we head into the afternoon and evening.” Widespread showers were falling all across the area at noon, with the heaviest rain east of the city.
In southwest Atlanta, Jacqueline Slaton believed recent rains were to blame for a tree that fell across her Laurelwood Drive rental home Monday morning, forcing her, her husband and her 89-year-old mother from the house. Thankfully, Slaton said, her 28-year-old son was at work as the tree fell directly onto his bedroom.
“He might not have made it out, because his room is really damaged bad,” she said, adding, “I might would have been burying my child.”
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Atlanta has been inundated with tropical moisture from both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, dominating the weather pattern, Deon said. She does not expect things to change much over the next few days.
The city got off to a warm and muggy start with temperatures in the 70s, and temps are not expected to climb much further. A high of 76 is in the forecast.
A flash flood watch is in effect until 8 p.m. for multiple counties on the Westside, including Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas and Fulton. According to Channel 2 meteorologist Jennifer Lopez, the watch will likely be extended past Monday evening and could include greater portions of North Georgia.
“Some of that rain will be heavy at times, and it is going to become more widespread, so just keep that in mind,” Deon said. “Have that rain gear with you, not just for today, but this trend continues into Tuesday as well.”
According to Channel 2, rain is 90% likely Monday and 60% likely Tuesday. Tuesday may see more breaks in the clouds, but Deon said “don’t count on much in the way of sunshine” with plenty of tropical moisture around.
The moisture hangs on at least through the middle of the week before a cold front moves in late Wednesday night, she said.
“Behind that front, drier air is going to finally filter in, scouring out all that moisture,” Deon said. “And by the time we get into the later part of the week, you can leave the rain gear behind and we are going to see some much better weather.”
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Rain finally drops out of the forecast Thursday, and sunshine returns, according to Channel 2. By the time all is all said and done, some parts of North Georgia could record another 2 to 4 inches of rainfall.
While the rain is restraining temperatures Monday, the cold front passing through Wednesday will contribute to “a fall-like feel” with morning lows in the 50s and afternoon highs in the mid-70s, Deon said.
“We’re going to keep the great weather around right on into the weekend,” she said.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Multiple crashes have been reported on wet roads Monday, and the hits keep on coming, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. At midday, there are major southbound delays on the Downtown Connector after a crash at Williams Street.
There are also delays in the opposite direction after an earlier crash at Langford Parkway, according to the Traffic Center.
And in DeKalb County, the Traffic Center is advising drivers to avoid I-20 after a crash that blocked the eastbound lanes before Evans Mill Road. Covington Highway is the best alternate to Lithonia, 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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