Cold rain to inundate Atlanta during MLS Cup prime tailgating hours
If you are heading to the MLS Cup on Saturday, you will want to bring an umbrella.
There is a 100 percent chance of widespread cold rain across North Georgia on Saturday. The rain is expected to begin before sunrise Saturday and continue throughout the day, Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said. That could put a damper on tailgating festivities around the city Saturday ahead of Atlanta United's match against the Portland Timbers in the league championship game.
Rain could be heavy this weekend. 3"-4" of rain from Atlanta to areas south of I-20. 2+" of rain in much of the rest of our forecast area. pic.twitter.com/1VzQgxi8lg
— Karen Minton (@KarenMintonWSB) December 7, 2018
Parking lots open at Mercedes-Benz stadium at 2:30 p.m., and celebrations begin at the International Plaza and Home Depot Backyard at 3 p.m. Around the stadium, parking lots in the area of the Gulch and along Northside Drive are the primary options for traditional tailgating.
RELATED: Mercedes-Benz Stadium tailgating guide for MLS Cup with Atlanta United
Rain gear will likely be a necessity during prime tailgating hours up until kickoff at 8 p.m., according to Channel 2.
“It’s going to be wet with some of the heaviest rains on the Southside, anywhere from 3 to 4 inches of rain possible there,” Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said.
The most accumulation will be along I-20 and to the south, with 1 to 2 inches of rainfall expected to the north, she said. Downtown Atlanta could fall on either side of that line, but it won’t avoid getting wet, according to Channel 2.
Heaviest rain will fall along and south of the I-20 corridor where 2-3"+ of RAIN is possible.
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) December 7, 2018
If you're looking for the potential for snow/winter mix in the metro, keep an eye on Sunday night/Monday as we get wrap around moisture.
For now, winter focus is NE of Atlanta.
To bring umbrellas into the stadium, they have to be under 33 inches.
Any other gear will need to be carried or toted in accordance with Atlanta United's clear bag policy, which is standard for all home matches.
Fans are strongly encouraged not to bring any type of bag, but each ticket holder is allowed one large, clear bag and a small clutch.
The policy also allows for blankets at game time, which may be a good idea considering temperatures are expected to be in the low 40s. Around 4 p.m., northeast Georgia could begin to see some wintry precipitation, according to Channel 2, but it will likely still be raining everywhere else.
RELATED: WEATHER ALERT: Winter storm watch issued for northeast Georgia
Remember -- the focus this weekend will obviously be on the NE GA mountains.. that's what will get everyone's attention.
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) December 7, 2018
But don't forget, most areas are going to see a cold, heavy rain with the potential for its own impacts... minor flooding possible.
“We will continue to watch here in the metro area for a very cold and windy day,” Minton said. “Keep in mind winds (Saturday) could be up to as high as 30 mph at times.”
—Please return to AJC.com for updates.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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