Congestion remains as temps prepare to dive near freezing overnight

ATLANTA FORECAST

Monday: High: 43

Monday night: Low: 32

Tuesday: High: 51

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

The projected high of 43 degrees has come and gone — not that it mattered much on this cold, rainy Monday.

The temperature outside shouldn’t matter at all to those stuck on I-285 or the Downtown Connector in traffic as the evening commute picks up.

If you have evening plans, pack the umbrella. Severe Weather Team 2 continues to update the forecast as new models come in. The latest NEXT on Channel 2 Action News at 5. https://t.co/BvEpU6itLS pic.twitter.com/esUVVymPmU
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 10, 2018

All I-85 South lanes near Virginia Avenue are blocked so a crash can be relocated, but delays are quickly mounting, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

#GRIDLOCKALERT Fulton Co: I-85/sb at Virginia Ave (exit 73); crash has all lanes blocked for relocation; should reopen soon, but heavy delays in the area https://t.co/2hvjWkI3bV #ATLtraffic
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) December 10, 2018

Most other delays on the Downtown Connector, I-75 North and Northern Perimeter are due to volume, the Traffic Center reported.

The weather conditions, along with several road closures, didn’t seem to bother thousands of Atlanta United fans, who celebrated the team’s MLS championship with a downtown parade and pep rally earlier.

Light, patchy showers have continued across North Georgia since the celebration ended around 1 p.m.

Some areas in the northeast part of the state are still getting a wintry mix after morning snow showers added about a half-inch to an inch to weekend accumulations, according to Channel 2 Action News.

11:45 am: A little wintry mix in the higher elevations of the NE Georgia mountains now where the temperatures are colder. pic.twitter.com/vT53y0ZOqi
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) December 10, 2018

About 1,800 people were without power in Rabun County on Monday morning, which got 8 inches of snow when a winter storm moved through Saturday and Sunday. Rabun and Habersham counties remained under a winter storm warning until 2 p.m., and both counties have closed schools Tuesday.

“For metro Atlanta, no snow, no ice, none of that,” Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said. “It’s just going to be a cold rain throughout the day. Overcast, drizzle at times, so your windshields are just going to be wet.”

A cold rain today with temperatures in the 40s across metro Atlanta. A little light snow or mix is likely in the north Georgia mountains later today. A few flurries over night in metro Atlanta is possible.

We'll finally see sun tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/rkehvU6I3k
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) December 10, 2018

Atlanta commuters will still have to contend with wet pavement Monday. Overnight, Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said a few flurries are possible.

“Black ice will be a concern in spots tonight as temperatures will drop below freezing across much of metro Atlanta, especially north of I-20,” he said.

MORE: Black ice possible Tuesday morning; schools, offices delay openings

Then things should start to get better.

“It’s going to be kind of wet and yucky throughout the day (Monday), but (Tuesday) things do improve,” Minton said. “We're looking ahead to sunshine on Tuesday and Wednesday, and temperatures will work their way into the lower 50s.”

So far this year -- more than 62" of precip. in Atlanta... and that's wet! About 15" above average. But did you know we've had 3 even wetter years in the last decade?

2009 - 69.43"
2015 - 68.38"
2013 - 66.02" @wsbtv
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) December 10, 2018

Rain returns to the forecast late in the day Thursday and sticks around through Friday and part of Saturday, according to Channel 2. By Sunday, the sky turns sunny again with high temperatures in the mid-50s, Minton said.