WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Showers move through Westside ahead of evening drive home

While clouds cover most of metro Atlanta, sprinkles and showers are moving through the Westside ahead of the evening commute.

The light rain is not affecting traffic much, but routine roadwork in the right lane of I-20 West at Lee Street definitely is in Douglas County, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Delays span back into Cobb County.

Construction is also blocking a left lane of Ga. 166 West near the Downtown Connector, the Traffic Center reported.

Further north, two right lanes of Ga. 400 North are blocked at Haynes Bridge Road due to a crash, according to the Traffic Center.

As the light rain continues, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Katie Walls said she is “not worried about any thunderstorms, not worried about any lightning strikes or severe weather.” The weather setup Friday is a stable one, she said.

Rain chances are 30%.

Anything that falls should be light. Walls said accumulation will be minimal, with a tenth of an inch or less in most spots.

While the raindrops could make roads wet Friday, that is not the case for Saturday’s Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade.

“Last year we were dealing with rain, and then in years past we were dealing with extreme temperatures, either extremely warm or extremely cold,” Walls said. “It looks like fairly moderate temperatures in my forecast for tomorrow morning, a mix of clouds and sun, and it is going to be a dry parade.”

Temperatures should be running in the low 50s when the parade steps off from Peachtree and 16th streets at 10:20 a.m, according to Channel 2. The parade route travels south on Peachtree Street and ends at 5th Street.

“Not too shabby, right?” Walls said.

Temperatures in the 50s are also in the forecast Saturday for tailgating hours ahead of the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Both Friday and Saturday will reach the upper 50s for afternoon highs, according to Channel 2. The average is 56 degrees, and Atlanta is looking at a projected high of 59.

“Everything is looking pretty nice considering the time of year,” Walls said.

Temperatures will be on the mild side throughout the day Friday, she said. Atlanta is in the upper 50s.

Walls said a low chance of rain hangs around through the weekend before chances are “ramping up for the start of the work week.”