WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Despite cloudy sky, Atlanta hovers in low 70s

ATLANTA FORECAST

Friday: High: 77

Friday night: Low: 55

Saturday: High: 78

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

Even with consistent cloud cover, Atlanta still topped 70 degrees Friday afternoon and didn’t stop heating up.

Around 6 p.m., it was 73 in Atlanta, and the predicted high is 77, according to the latest Channel 2 Action News forecast. North Georgia has zipped past average springtime temperatures, which are usually in the upper 60s, according to Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan.

A rain system to the west of Georgia on Friday is not the same one that will bring showers and a chance of thunderstorms for the second half of the weekend, according to Channel 2.

“It’s going to pass well off to our north and just spill a few clouds our way later today,” Monahan said.

Aside from an isolated shower or two in the North Georgia mountains, Friday will be dry for North Georgia under a mix of sun and clouds. Other than some sunshine delays during the evening drive, there will be no weather impacts to traffic, according to Channel 2.

The pollen count jumped again Friday to 951 particles per cubic meter of air, nearly double the count from Thursday. The count has climbed steadily over the past few days, and it may have further still to go. Showers on Sunday could help to wash some pollen out of the air.

It may be warm outside, but activity on the roads is red hot as spring break travelers begin their trips, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Nearly every interstate is considerably slower than usual, which is congesting surface streets.

Traffic on the Southside and along I-75 in Henry County is especially bad, the Traffic Center reported.

“That is where everything really starts to bottleneck, generally between the Stockbridge and the Locust Grove areas,” WSB traffic reporter Ashley Frasca said.

RELATED: Spring break delays already growing in metro Atlanta

Even with a chance of rain, Monahan said the weekend weather outlook has improved.

“There have been a few changes to your weekend forecast, and I think you're going to like them,” he said. “Saturday is still the day I would pick for your outdoor plans. It’s going to be beautiful for most of the day with just a chance of a shower late in the day. But Sunday is not going to be a complete washout.”

There is a 20 percent chance of rain Saturday evening as a cold front makes its way toward North Georgia. Monahan said there could be some showers and thunderstorms after dark and into Sunday morning as the front passes through, but they will move on quickly.

“The clouds stay behind as the rain moves away, so it’s not going to be a very sunny afternoon, but the rain is going to dry up as we go through (Sunday),” he said. “The second half of the day should be the better half of the day coming up on Sunday.”

After highs near 80 on Saturday afternoon, North Georgia will cool off a bit, according to the latest forecast. Afternoon highs are back in the 50s for the start of next week.

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