MONDAY’S WEATHER-TRAFFIC: ‘Nothing but sunshine and blue skies’

North Georgia will enjoy “nothing but sunshine and blue skies” Monday, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz.

With temperatures in the low 80s, Nitz said it will feel more like early summer. Atlanta is headed for a projected high of 81 degrees, nearly 10 degrees above average for this time of year.

“We’re going to be in the low 80s the next couple of days,” Nitz said. “Lots of sunshine today, mix of sun and clouds tomorrow. The rain chance moves in mid-week.”

An area of high pressure to the west of Georgia is keeping the region dry, and it will also mean a gusty northwest wind Monday, according to Channel 2. But Nitz said that wind will not blow in any cooler air.

The dry conditions will likely contribute to an even higher pollen count. The count dropped out of the extremely high range with the help of some weekend rain, landing at 1,253 pollen particles per cubic meter of air for Sunday. A new count is expected at 8 a.m. Monday.

“The pollen count is very high this time of year,” Nitz said. “It’s likely to start to go down, however, as we head through the next few weeks.”

The next chance of rain arrives Wednesday, when showers are 60% likely, according to Channel 2. Nitz said Wednesday will likely start out dry before rain moves in for the afternoon and evening.

Showers should amount to less than an inch of rainfall, he said.

“This comes and goes pretty quickly as well,” Nitz said.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Pavement is dry Monday morning, and there are no major delays on metro Atlanta interstates, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

In Carroll County, all lanes of Ga. 61 are shut down at Flat Rock Road while the GBI responds to an officer-involved shooting, the Traffic Center reported. There is heavy police activity in the area south of I-20.

“This is not impacting your ride on I-20 in from Carroll County,” traffic reporter Mark Arum said. “It is still lighter than normal.”

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

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