WEATHER-TRAFFIC: With inches more rain possible, flash flood watch in effect

More rain is in the forecast Monday, and it won’t be the last time North Georgia gets wet this week, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Another round of strong storms and possibly severe weather is headed for the state in the middle of the week. For the start, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said heavy rain and lightning will be the main impacts as downpours continue off and on through the day.

Monahan said he does not expect a repeat of Saturday’s strong storms, which brought down trees and knocked out power to thousands of Georgians. The same storm system claimed at least 10 lives in nearby states.

RELATED: Thousands without power in Georgia after powerful storm pummels South

"I do not expect severe weather today, but as we go into ... tomorrow and Wednesday, that chance for rain and storms and the risk for some strong storms will increase,” he said.

The morning drive started out soggy, but metro Atlanta is getting a bit of a break in the rain at noon. Channel 2 meteorologist Eboni Deon said the respite will be short-lived.

RELATED: Tree falls through DeKalb home feet from where paralyzed woman slept

“We're going to keep it very soggy,” she said. “So far this morning some areas have already picked up nearly 3 inches of rainfall. We're going to be adding to that, and that is why we do now have a flash flood watch in place for North Georgia.”

That flash flood watch is not set to expire until 7 a.m. Wednesday.

“The axis of heavier rainfall is expected to shift northward overnight and Tuesday with additional rainfall amounts of one to three inches possible,” the Weather Service said in an alert. “Higher amounts, especially across the higher terrain of north Georgia, are also possible.”

Coweta, Fayette, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding and Troup counties remain under a flash flood warning until 2 p.m. Monday. Those areas have seen the highest concentrations of rainfall over the last 12 hours, Deon said.

A warm front stalled across North Georgia is sending the waves of downpours and showers Monday, according to meteorologists. The next big wave is not expected until the late evening hours, after the drive home from work.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday all have an 80% chance of rain, according to Channel 2. With all the rain around, temperatures are headed for the upper 60s for highs Monday, and the following two days look to be even warmer.

Highs in the 70s are ahead this week, according to the latest forecast.

A total of 31 crashes were reported on metro Atlanta interstates between 4:30 and 9 a.m., making a mess of the Monday morning commute, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

The interstates have calmed down considerably at noon, but flooding has been reported in spots.

“Keep in mind as you navigate, you don’t want to cross any roads that are covered in water,” Deon said.

In DeKalb County, flooding on the I-285 outer loop has cleared and all lanes were expected to reopen, the Traffic Center reported.

» 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. 

» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.