WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Water main break fixed in Cobb; Perimeter slow as evening commute continues

Meteorologist Brian Monahan has your early Friday evening weather forecast.

Cobb County’s surface streets were congested for much of Friday, but traffic is improving after a water main break was capped.

For about four hours, all southbound lanes of Cobb Parkway near Windy Ridge Parkway were blocked for crews to deal with the break, which spewed water into the air over the roadway.

However, I-285 is a different story.

The Northern Perimeter is moving at a crawl during the evening commute, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. A wreck on the inner loop at I-20 in DeKalb County isn't helping matters.

At the same time, I-85 North is recovering after a crash at Steve Reynolds Boulevard was cleared to the right shoulder, the Traffic Center reported. The interstate is jammed back to I-285.

Friday began in the mid-30s in metro Atlanta and below freezing in the northeast Georgia mountains. It was the coldest morning since early March, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

Overnight, a few snow flurries were reported in Fannin County. Flurries were also reported in Alabama and in Tennessee, according to Channel 2.

Another freeze warning will be in effect from 5 a.m. Saturday through 10 a.m. for 18 North Georgia counties.

Monahan said winds are not as gusty Friday, but there is still a breeze blowing. Wind chills were in the 20s for much of the morning. Now that the breeze has subsided, Atlanta has warmed into the upper 50s, Channel 2 reported.

Atlanta beat out many East Coast cities for the coldest start of the season. Philadelphia, New York and Boston haven’t yet seen a morning in the 30s this fall, according to Channel 2.

Those planning to take in a high school football game should plan for temps in the 50s at kickoff and 40s through the game. Some extra insulation is a good idea, Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said.

“If you are just sitting in the stands, you will be on the chilly side,” she said. “Layer up this evening for those of you heading out for Friday night lights.”

Monahan said a sunny sky becomes a clear one after dark, and temperatures will again drop pretty quickly overnight for another 30-degree start Saturday morning.

The cloud cover should stay to the south all weekend. It will be chilly but mostly sunny with temperatures right around 60 degrees both Saturday and Sunday afternoon, he said. The average is closer to 70.

“The mornings will be cold, the afternoons on the cool side, and starting to warm up as we head toward Tuesday,” Monahan said.

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