WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Warm day on tap ahead of summerlike weekend

Friday’s off to a warm and muggy start, and it’s only expected to get hotter this weekend.

With plenty of sunshine, Atlanta’s afternoon high is expected to reach 83 degrees, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

Goooooood morning! It's a warm and more humid start to the day -- and tracking even warmer weather for the weekend!

I'll take you through that + our next chance for rain... at 4:30am on Channel 2! @wsbtv
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) May 15, 2020

“Think about the kids trying to get in the backyard to play and run off that energy this afternoon,” he said. “Make sure they have that sunscreen on today. The UV index is high and you’ll get a sunburn in about 20 minutes.”

Temperatures started off in the 60s for the second day in a row, a noticeably warmer start than earlier this week when metro Atlanta woke up to chilly temps in the 30s and 40s.

These summerlike temperatures should stick around through the weekend, which is expected to be remain rain-free.

“It’s a pretty nice weekend to get out and shake off some of that energy if you’ve been inside most of the week,” Monahan said. “Whatever you’ve got planned this weekend, it looks pretty good across North Georgia.”

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

With temperatures in the high-80s, Sunday should be the warmest day of the year so far, he said. Things should start to cool off by Monday, however, which is when we’ll likely see our next chance of showers.

As for traffic, those heading into the city may run into some construction-related delays near Midtown. Roadwork at the intersection of Peachtree Road and 26th Street is expected to continue through the weekend, according to the Traffic Center. To avoid delays, drivers are urged to take Northside Drive in and out of Midtown.

Roadwork on Peachtree Rd. at 26th St. affects lanes in both directions expect delays avoid and use Northside Dr. in and out of Midtown https://t.co/j2xHL1ZFrc #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/Pmva2zHLny
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) May 15, 2020

With many continuing to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic, traffic on metro Atlanta’s interstates remains significantly lighter than usual. As a result, it is mostly smooth sailing for anyone heading into work this morning.