ATLANTA FORECAST

Today: Showers and storms. High: 75

Tonight: Severe thunder storms. Low: 61

Tomorrow: Sunny. High: 60

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

Metro Atlanta residents were thankful for no tornadoes Wednesday evening as heavy rain moved out of the area and a cold front brought cooler temperatures.

The high of 80 degrees tied the record high for the day, set in 1997, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologists.

Current temps are 62 degrees in Atlanta, 56 degrees in Blairsville and 65 degrees in Griffin.

A severe thunderstorm watch is set to expire at 10 p.m. in Banks, Barrow, Carroll, Clayton, Clarke, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Jackson, Madison, Meriwether, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Pike, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup and Walton counties.

Northwest Georgia counties such as Gordon and Pickens saw hail about the size of golf balls earlier.

A tree was reported down on a car west of Summerville in Chattooga County, meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

Here are 5 interesting facts about tornadoes.

“Once you’ve made it through 9 p.m.,” meteorologist Karen Minton said, “everything’s done. The system has moved out.”

In other news:

A crew of more than 40 people were involved in the massive dig set up in Ben Hill County.