Wednesday will be a day to dress in layers.
Some metro Atlanta neighborhoods are waking up to the coolest weather since late spring with temperatures in the 40s and low 50s. A morning low of 48 degrees in the city would be the coldest start since May 12, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan. And Atlanta, which currently stands at 51 degrees, could hit that mark before sunrise.
“These early fall mornings can start cool, but they can get warm in the afternoon, and that’s what we’re going to see over the next couple of days,” he said.
Despite the chilly start, temperatures are headed for the mid-70s later this afternoon. Monahan said Wednesday will be much drier and sunnier than the day before, which only saw about three hours of sunshine near the end of the day. Atlanta could get 11 hours of sunshine Wednesday, according to Channel 2.
“I know the kids were kind of cooped up yesterday with the rain and the clouds, and it took to the end of the day to get the sun,” Monahan said. “Not today. We’re going to start with the sunshine right away.”
The clear sky will help Atlanta to reach its high early, he said. The city can expect temperatures in the 50s through the morning, but it should hit 70 degrees by 2 p.m. The projected high Wednesday is 74 degrees.
Another cold front moving in Thursday is bringing even cooler weather for the end of the week, Monahan said.
“A few extra clouds with this, but no rain with this front as we go through the day on Thursday," he said.
The front will also bring a breeze, which will help to drop temperatures further. According to Channel 2, Atlanta could wake up to a low of 46 degrees on Saturday.
Unlike on Tuesday, weather should not impact travel Wednesday. A few ongoing traffic issues could prove troublesome for the morning drive, however.
Construction on I-285 at Ashford Dunwoody Road is already causing commuters to bunch up in DeKalb County, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
In Midtown, the ramp from the northbound Downtown Connector to Spring Street is still shut down because of a construction accident, the Traffic Center reported. Drivers should avoid the area and use the Pine and Peachtree streets exit instead.
Expect lane closures on I-75, I-285 and surrounding surface streets about noon, when Vice President Mike Pence is expected to land at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta.
He is set to deliver remarks at the Faith & Freedom Coalition Policy Conference, an organization founded by veteran Georgia Republican activist Ralph Reed. The event will take place at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
“Between noon and 4 (p.m.), I think you’ll see the biggest traffic impact for the vice presidential visit,” WSB traffic reporter Mark Arum said.
Drivers should take Cobb Parkway to avoid the road closures, 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.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
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