MARTA delays fixed, rain moving east

The forecast

Today: Mostly sunny. Storms likely. High: 92

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Rain chance lingers. Low: 74

Tomorrow: Thunderstorms more likely. High: 90

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

7:46 p.m.: MARTA back to normal operations and heavy rain moving east out of the metro Atlanta area.

Temperatures were 76 degrees in Atlanta, 81 in Blairsville and 75 in Griffin at 7:45 p.m.

6:50 p.m.: Heavy rain continues to wreck the commute home for many metro Atlantans. A sinking car was reported at Peachtree and Hermance roads in DeKalb County. MARTA tweeted about delays on Blue Line caused by a mechanical issue at the Avondale stop. Also, traffic signals are flashing red along Jimmy Carter Blvd east of I-85 in Gwinnett County.

6:35 p.m.: Wet floors and mist entering a MARTA train was reported by a passenger.

6:30 p.m.: Flooding reported in Brookhaven and the Red and Gold MARTA lines are experiencing delays, MARTA says.

6:21 p.m.: Reports of trees down and debris affecting traffic. Tree debris is blocking the right lanes of I-75 southbound south of Moores Mill Road in Atlanta. Delays are being reported before Mt. Paran. A tree is blocking all but the left shoulder on I-20 westbound past Lee Road in Douglas County causing extreme delays.

6:15 p.m. Intense storms with dangerous lightning moving into DeKalb County. Rain is ponding on the roads, meteorologists say.

Temperatures were 83 degrees in Atlanta, 84 in Blairsville and 73 in Griffin at 6:15 p.m.

6 p.m.: Channel 2 Action News Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns is tracking intense lightning storms over the downtown area. Meteorologist Brad Nitz said hail is forming over Atlanta.

5:45 p.m.: Rain pounding the roads, thunder and lightning over metro area. The temperature in Atlanta dropped 10 degrees rapidly, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

5:30 p.m.: Downpours seen moving across metro area through Druid Hills and north Decatur.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said today's high hit 97 degrees ahead of thunderstorms heading in to the metro area from the east.

Lightning and heavy rain are seen in Coweta and Fayette counties. The Decatur area has weakening storms overhead.

Temperatures were 96 degrees in Atlanta, 85 in Blairsville and 76 in Griffin at 5 p.m.

ORIGINAL STORY: Drivers beware.

Storms may slow traffic to a crawl during the evening rush hour Thursday in metro Atlanta, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Showers and lightning started early in the afternoon in Union and Dawson counties, but mostly the rain stayed clear of the metro area before 1 p.m.

About an hour later, light showers started to pop up in some metro area spots. Showers, and even storms, will be more widespread by the time drivers head home.

“Lightning, heavy downpours, strong gusty winds (are) all elements to look for,” meteorologist Karen Minton said.

Storms are expected to last through at least 10 p.m. Thursday.

“It will start to subside as we get into late night and the temperatures begin to drop,” Minton said.

But rain will return Friday. There is a 60 percent chance of rain Friday and a 40 percent chance of storms through the weekend.