For the 10th day in a row, Atlanta has hit the mid-90s, but Friday’s heat hasn’t felt as heavy as the last several days.
The city has hit 95 degrees, but 30% humidity makes it feel like the temperature on the thermometer, according to Channel 2 Action News.
While the air may not feel as thick today, downtown traffic definitely is, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported. A crash on the Downtown Connector has the left northbound shoulder blocked just before 10th Street, adding to volume-related delays during the evening commute.
Southside traffic is also struggling. A wreck previously blocked several lanes of I-75 North at Jodeco Road in Henry County, according to the Traffic Center. All lanes have reopened, but the incident left miles of delays in its wake.
In DeKalb County, all westbound lanes were temporarily shut down past Panola Road with a multivehicle crash involving an overturned SUV with a trailer, according to police. Multiple injuries have been reported.
The lanes reopened around noon, and delays are minimal.
RELATED: Multivehicle crash cleared on I-20 in DeKalb
Ongoing maintenance on DeKalb railroad crossings continues for one more day. Frazier Road is shut down near Lavista Road, as well as Brockett Road near Lawrenceville Highway and Montreal Road between Lawrenceville Highway and Lavista Road.
Northlake Parkway and Lawrenceville Highway are good alternates until the work wraps up at 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the Traffic Center.
If it seems like it’s been exceptionally hot this summer, it has. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirms that July was the hottest month on record for the planet.
In Atlanta, this July wasn’t quite the hottest ever experienced, but it was still hotter than average. The average temperature in July is 79 degrees, and Atlanta averaged more than three degrees higher this year.
July 2019 was the ninth hottest on record locally, according to Channel 2.
“Keep in mind that when we're talking about the global average temperature, we are looking at every single temperature across the entire planet,” Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said. “So while most spots did experience their hottest month, we didn’t necessarily here.”
Some places, including in parts of Russia and Scandinavia, reported lower than average temperatures, she said.
Atlanta’s average temperature for mid-August is 88 degrees. Intown temperatures have already surpassed that mark, according to Channel 2.
North Georgia is expected to stay dry through the evening drive and overnight hours Friday. There is a down side, however.
“That dry air, it’s dense so it sinks down to the surface,” Walls said. “Unfortunately, that will be conducive for unhealthy air quality later on this afternoon.”
Metro Atlanta is again under a Code Orange air quality alert Friday. Walls said the primary time to be aware of diminished air quality is between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
RELATED: What is a Code Orange? Smog alert issued for Atlanta
Those with asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, young children and other sensitive groups are encouraged to limit time outside.
“Please take care as you head out later on this afternoon,” Walls said.
Heat indexes are on their way up again, according to Channel 2. Weekend highs are forecast in the low to mid-90s, but it will feel more like 97 degrees on both days.
Rain chances stay low with only a slight 20% chance on Sunday, according to the latest forecast.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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