WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Wrecks begin to clog up Atlanta’s interstates as sprinkles continue

ATLANTA FORECAST

Friday: High: 83

Friday night: Low: 68

Saturday: High: 85

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

A few problem areas have developed into heavy delays across metro Atlanta as new wrecks slow interstate speeds down, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

All I-20 westbound lanes were blocked at Hill Street by a crash, according to the Traffic Center. Three lanes have reopened, but this is still causing heavy delays, and Memorial Drive is recommended as an alternate.

A crash on I-285 west at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard previously blocked all but the far left lane, according to the Traffic Center. Only the shoulder is still blocked, but delays linger.

In Henry County, a tractor-trailer crash on the right shoulder of I-75 North near Jonesboro Road has a right lane blocked by a fire truck, which is also causing delays, the Traffic Center reported.

After several days of heavy rain, Friday should be drier for most in North Georgia.

Sprinkles continue to develop through the afternoon as a stationary front sits over the state. Unlike Wednesday and Thursday, when waves of afternoon storms rolled through the region and marred evening commutes, most of North Georgia will stay dry, Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said.

“You might see some isolated spots that get a little heavier downpours, especially as we head toward evening time, but generally along I-20 and southward,” she said. “That’s going to be the trend for today.”

That could change heading into the second week of October, which is expected to be wetter than average, according to the latest forecast.

With some areas seeing a return of abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions, “we could use increased rain chances,” Minton said.

Don’t tell that to waterlogged northwest Georgia. The cold front that hammered that corner of the state dumped inches of rain over the last few days, prompting flash flooding in some areas.

Rain chances stay in the 20 to 30 percent range through early next week.

“Some dry air is trying to work its way in,” Minton said. “You've got the moisture to work with along that front, and it settles down into central and South Georgia while the dry air works into the north, and that’s going to keep us mainly dry over the next several days.”

The temperatures, however, are not expected to drop significantly any time soon.

“Temperatures are normally around 78 (degrees),” she said. “I just can’t wait until we finally get there, but it’s just not going to happen. I’ve been looking at some of the data for our extended forecasts, and it’s still looking like warmer than average temperatures for the next week or so.”

Highs are expected to stay in the 80s, with morning lows in the upper 60s. All the recent rain means it will feel muggy and humid outside, according to Channel 2.

Minton said it will take some time for the clouds to break up Friday, but when they do, Atlanta should warm to a high of 83 degrees.