WEDNESDAY’S WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Sunshine ahead once Ida’s clouds clear

Drizzle and low clouds are all that’s left of Tropical Depression Ida as North Georgia wakes up Wednesday morning.

The storm is weakening as it moves into the central Appalachians but is still causing problems for the mid-Atlantic states with heavy rain and flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service. Locally, North Georgia was spared the worst of Ida’s impacts and did suffer any severe weather.

Two to four inches of rain fell across the region Tuesday, and some light, passing showers remain Wednesday morning, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Eboni Deon said. While there are a few active flood warnings in the mountains, there are no watches or warnings remaining for metro Atlanta.

“As it moves away from us, we are going to have some drier air moving in here,” Deon said. “Still, though, as you make your way out this morning you will be greeted by a lot of cloud cover. Those clouds are going to be clearing as we go through the day, so we are going to get in on some more sunshine.”

Temperatures are in the 70s on Wednesday morning, and Atlanta is headed for a high of 84 degrees, according to Channel 2. Deon said the afternoon will look “a lot nicer and brighter” once the last of Ida’s clouds clear out.

“Outdoor activities, it will be a go,” she said. “Weather conditions are improving. We’re going to see drier, less humid air conditions around over the next few days.”

Rain chances are nil Thursday and Friday, which will both see highs in the mid-80s, according to the latest forecast. Deon said it will remain dry Saturday, but there is a 20% chance of a shower Sunday.

Commuters headed north through the city on Wednesday morning will want to avoid I-75. A car fire was blocking multiple right lanes north of 17th Street at 6:30 a.m., and it has the potential to cause lasting delays for the Wednesday morning commute, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Drivers can take Northside Drive leaving Midtown while delays remain, the Traffic Center reported.

There are also “delays and more delays” in the opposite direction after a multivehicle crash on I-85 South at the Peachtree Street overpass. The crash cleared shortly before 8 a.m.

A crash involving multiple vehicles causing major delays on I-85 South leading into Midtown on Wednesday morning.

» 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.