Rain, thunderstorms could put damper on weekend events
There’s no shortage of outdoor events around metro Atlanta this weekend, but Mother Nature might not cooperate.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton said there’s a 60 percent chance of rain Saturday, decreasing slightly to 50 percent Sunday.
While no severe storms are expected, the National Weather Service said a few of the thunderstorms could be strong during the warmest part of the afternoon.
The rain should subside Sunday morning, but likely will return during the afternoon, Minton said.
Weekend highs will be in the low 80s, with lows in the mid-60s.
All that rain could put a damper on several outdoor events, including Braves-Dodgers games Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at Turner Field.
Also this weekend, Centennial Olympic Park hosts a Party in the Park concert beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and continuing into the evening.
Emory University is holding the Special Olympics Georgia State Summer Games, which continue through Sunday.
Also on Sunday, a 2.5 mile stretch of Peachtree Street from Spring Street in Midtown southward to Ellis Street will be closed to all motorized vehicles from 2 to 6 p.m. for Atlanta Streets Alive, an event aimed at encouraging Atlanta to make streets more friendly for pedestrians, bicyclists and skaters.
Events outside the Perimeter include the Marietta Greek Festival, running through Sunday at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church on Trickum Road; the Canton Festival of Arts Saturday and Sunday at Brown Park; and the eighth annual Mableton Day festival Saturday at the Mable House.
Several interstate lane closures are also planned this weekend, if the rain holds off long enough.
On the top-end Perimeter, crews plan to close two lanes in each direction between Paces Ferry and Powers Ferry roads, and again between Riverside Drive and Chamblee Dunwoody roads, beginning at 9 p.m. Friday and continuing through 5 a.m. Monday.
In DeKalb County, two right lanes of I-20 eastbound will be closed the same hours between Columbia Drive and Panola Road.
Just north of Spaghetti Junction, up to three lanes of I-85 northbound could be shut down from Pleasantdale Road to Jimmy Carter Boulevard.
North of there, three right lanes of I-85 southbound could be blocked from Indian Trail Road to Jimmy Carter Boulevard.
Another event likely to jam local roads, rain or shine, is President Barack Obama’s Sunday visit to Morehouse College, where he will speak at the 11 a.m. commencement. While the motorcade route has not been released, some rolling road closures are likely before and after the ceremony.
