Roads slowly recover as cold day turns into chilly night

ATLANTA FORECAST

Monday: High: 56

Monday night: Low: 30

Tuesday: High: 43

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

Metro Atlanta’s rough afternoon on the roads is slowly coming to an end, but as congestion frees up, the temperature goes down.

The temperature peaked in the mid-40s today, and it’s slowly dropping to an expected low of 30 degrees, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Drivers in DeKalb County have probably been able to watch the temperature drop degree by degree as they sit in the remnants of the mess on I-285.

For about two hours, all northbound lanes were closed after a seven-vehicle wreck, including three tractor-trailers, brought traffic to a standstill near Flat Shoals Road, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

MORE: 3 taken to hospital after 7-vehicle wreck on I-285 North in DeKalb

In Cobb County, two lanes of I-75 South near Barrett Parkway were previously blocked after two FedEx trucks hit each other and packages spilled on the side of the road, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Slight delays linger after the incident was cleared, according to the Traffic Center.

With a cold front passing through the state, North Georgia should prepare to stay cold over the next few days, according to Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan.

The chilly temps and gusty wind come on the heels of a winter storm that is wreaking havoc on parts of the Midwest.

The storm has dumped feet of snow in some places and stranded holiday travelers at airports. Blizzard warnings were in effect across Missouri and Illinois on Sunday, and winter storm warnings extended into Monday morning.

“Major travel impacts for folks up there, but for us, it’s attached to a cold front that’s bringing cold, cold air into North Georgia,” Monahan said.

Tuesday’s predicted high is 43 degrees, and North Georgia should wake up to temperatures in the 20s Wednesday for the coldest morning of the season, according to the latest forecast from Channel 2.

By Thursday, North Georgia should leave the cold temperatures behind and warm into the 50s. With some rain possible on Saturday, Monahan said Sunday should be the best day of the weekend with a high of 66 degrees.