Warm weather continues, highs expected to hit 70s later in the week

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy. High: 69

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

Sunshine and increasing temperatures Tuesday afternoon served as early signs of a warming trend expected to send temps near 70 degrees Wednesday in metro Atlanta.

Temps were 56 degrees in Atlanta, 45 degrees in Blairsville and 52 degrees in Griffin just before 8:30 p.m.

“Temperatures are going to be soaring over the next few days,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton said. “Well above average.”

Highs could reach 69 degrees Wednesday and Thursday and 71 degrees Friday, according to the latest forecast.

The higher temperatures should help parts of metro Atlanta thaw out from an icy weekend. Slick roads and concerns about driving conditions prompted multiple districts to close school Tuesday.

Schools were closed in Cobb, Cherokee, Bartow, Paulding, Lumpkin, Fannin, Towns, White, Union, Habersham and Pickens counties. Dawson County schools began two hours later than normal.