WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Storms developing in time for evening commute

ATLANTA FORECAST

Friday: High: 82

Friday night: Low: 68

Saturday: High: 83

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

Rain may have taken a lunch break, but clouds are starting to roll back in just in time for today’s evening commute.

As temperatures rise, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton predicts parts of metro Atlanta will see showers and possible storms in the afternoon. It’s currently 80 degrees in Atlanta.

“Exactly where the placement is going to be is tough to pinpoint, but just be on the lookout for those later today,” Minton said. “Slow movers can dump a lot of rain in a short period of time.”

Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said a rain storm is moving into west Atlanta, and heavy downpours and lightning storms are hitting east of Atlanta, near Athens currently.

The rain spells bad news for drivers, who are already dealing with congested roads.

The intersection of 14th Street and West Peachtree Street is closed as Atlanta fire crews investigate what caused a scaffolding to collapse at a Midtown apartment building.

RELATED: Scaffolding collapse leads to electrical explosion, closed roads in Midtown

A wreck on I-85 southbound near Jimmy Carter Boulevard is causing heavy delays, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Earlier roadwork on I-85 northbound at Ga. 317 has been cleared, but the Georgia Department of Transportation said to expect delays in the area, according to the Traffic Center.

Lots of construction on I-75 and I-285 is planned for tonight and the weekend as well. At 9 p.m., the Georgia Department of Transportation will start resurfacing projects in Cobb, Fulton and DeKalb County, which will continue through the weekend.

Work continues near Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of Friday afternoon storms. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

Once the sun goes down, heavy showers should lessen and become more isolated into the night. After the postponed game last night, this is good news for Braves fans attending the 7:35 p.m. game against the Marlins at SunTrust Park.

GDOT also announced that it will reopen the sections of I-75 and I-285 briefly when the Braves game concluded to help alleviate traffic.

The rain has been great news for allergy sufferers.

Pollen levels have plunged because of the wet weather. Friday’s count was 4 particles per cubic meter of air, which is far short of the season high of 5,354 recorded on April 12.

Rain chances are forecast at 60 percent for the weekend, Monday and Tuesday. The trend of showers developing in the afternoon and evening should continue through next week, Minton said.

» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.