For the 78th day this year, Atlanta has hit or surpassed 90 degrees. On Monday, it surpassed it by a lot.
Under clear skies, the city has warmed to 96 degrees Monday afternoon, which is a degree shy of the record high for Sept. 16, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Traffic isn't terrible as the evening commute begins, but there are a few problem areas, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
The heaviest delays are in Gwinnett County, where a crash blocks several eastbound lanes of Ronald Reagan Parkway at Ga. 29, the Traffic Center reported. Delays span back to Pleasant Hill Road.
A stalled bus is also slowing the I-75 North express lanes at North Marietta Parkway, according to the Traffic Center. The stall is being cleared, but delays linger.
I-20 is also recovering after a crash in Douglas County blocked most westbound lanes at Lee Road, the Traffic Center reported. All lanes have reopened, but delays remain.
Fall is officially a week away, and North Georgia may be just days away from actual fall-like weather.
By Thursday, morning temperatures could be in the 50s and low 60s, according to Channel 2. Highs on those days are predicted to hit 84 degrees, which is about average for this time of year.
However, there’s still a few hot days the city will have to endure. The record high in Atlanta is 97 degrees for the next few days. In addition to Monday’s record being in play, Channel 2 meteorologist Eboni Deon said the record is in jeopardy Tuesday with a projected high of 96.
While the heat could make outdoor activities uncomfortable, Deon said at least North Georgia will not have any rainfall to deal with Monday.
“We’re keeping it dry as can be,” she said. “Rain chances don’t pick up until the middle of the week. That’s when I’m tracking our next cold front that, yes, will bring us a little bit of a cooldown.”
The front will make its way south over the next couple of days and should bring isolated showers Wednesday, Deon said. Temperatures will be in the upper 80s Wednesday, but a push of cooler air will help numbers to fall Thursday and Friday.
“We need the rainfall, but we also are looking for that cooldown, and we are going to get just that,” she said.
Forecast highs are slightly above average for the end of the week, but lows could fall below, according to Channel 2. Morning temperatures are typically in the mid-60s this time of year, and Friday’s projected low is 61 degrees.
With the official start of fall next Monday, you may be looking to put away the summer gear and pull out the sweaters and jackets. That may be a bit premature, according to Deon.
“The heat returns by next weekend,” she said.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
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