A few stray snow flurries are possible in Midtown on Friday morning as all of North Georgia stays cold.
Temperatures are in the 20s and 30s across the region and in the mid-30s in town, according to Channel 2 Action News. While there will be no accumulation of snow this morning, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said some spots in the mountains could see a half-inch or more of snow when round two moves in Friday night.
“Not one, but two systems I’m tracking,” he said. “One is bringing a few snow light flurries this morning, at least the chance of it. Another one is going to move across the North Georgia mountains today.”
Temperatures should be well above freezing in metro Atlanta by the time the first system settles into the mountains this afternoon, he said. Despite the snow and the freezing start, the city will actually warm up quicker than on Thursday, when highs only reached the upper 40s.
Monahan said Atlanta should surpass that by lunchtime. The projected high is 51 degrees.
That means around 1 p.m., when the first system spreads mix and snow showers in the mountains, “any showers we see will be of the rain variety around metro Atlanta,” he said.
Rain showers are possible from Gainesville to Atlanta during the evening commute with a partly to mostly cloudy sky, according to Channel 2. The second system is expected to arrive late Friday.
Monahan said it will not have much moisture, but there will be enough to wring out some snow showers and flurries in the mountains through daybreak Saturday.
“The rule of thumb is if you saw some snow back on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, you've got another shot of it tonight into tomorrow morning,” he said. “Half-inch to an inch of snow, and could be a couple of spots in the highest elevations that pick up a bit more than an inch.”
Travel in the mountains could be a little slippery Saturday morning, he said. The snow will not stick around all weekend.
“The weekend gets better as things go on,” Monahan said. “By Sunday, we're looking great. Sunday is going to be the best day of the weekend with highs up into the lower 60s.”
That is good news for the hundreds of elite runners and the thousands more spectators expected to descend upon downtown Atlanta on Saturday for the Olympic marathon trials. While both days will be dry enough for outdoor plans, he said Sunday will be the better day for getting outside as it will be warmer.
While most interstates on the north and south sides of town are moving fine Friday, the morning commute could be tough in and around the city, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
A crash at “one of the most dangerous intersections in Atlanta” has the potential to tie up Midtown traffic for some time, traffic reporter Mark Arum said. Right lanes are blocked on northbound Northside Drive at the 10th Street intersection while authorities are on scene.
There are also growing delays between Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Midtown, according to the Traffic Center. A stalled box truck was blocking traffic on I-85 North at Cleveland Avenue.
Roads downtown are not expected to close for the Olympic team trials until 7 a.m. Saturday. The 26-mile course will wind through downtown and Midtown, and multiple roads along the route as well as three interstate exit ramps will be closed, according to Atlanta police.
The roads between Centennial Olympic Park and Georgia State Stadium will open and close as the race rolls through, with the last closures scheduled to end at 3:30 p.m. The Pine Street and Edgewood Avenue exits will be closed on the northbound Downtown Connector, as well as the exit to I-20 West at Capitol Avenue.
RELATED: Olympic marathon trials in Atlanta: Roads that will be closed for the race
Authorities are expecting more than 160,000 visitors in the city this weekend. Police are suggesting those attending the trials or one of several other events downtown ride MARTA, use a ride-share service or use a taxi to get around.
» 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.
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