WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Dry, hot for evening commute

ATLANTA FORECAST 

Monday: High: 90

Monday night: Low: 68

Tuesday: High: 92

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

As the evening traffic winds down, temperatures have steadily increased.

Atlanta reached 90 degrees just after 6 p.m., and for the first time in weeks there is no chance of rain for the next few days, according to Channel 2 Action News.

It’s “about as good as it gets for July,” Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

Rain chances increase through the week to 40 percent Thursday and Friday, according to Channel 2.

While it’s hot now, temperatures are expected to cool to the 80s in the next few hours.

And after what felt like a never-ending traffic jam, roads near and in Cobb County are finally seeing some relief.

Stalled tractor-trailers on I-75 South near Ga. 5 and I-285 North near Atlanta Road caused a slight delay but are no longer an issue, according to the WSB 24-Hour Traffic Center.

Earlier, there were heavy delays on I-75 North after a fiery tractor-trailer crash shut down all northbound lanes from Kennesaw to Acworth for several hours.

MORE: Fiery tractor-trailer crash shuts down I-75 North

There are also construction-related delays on the I-285 Inner Loop before Paces Ferry Road due to crews in the left lane. Same goes for the Inner Loop at the I-75 interchange.

In DeKalb County, there is a gas leak at North Peachtree Road and Plantation Lane, according to Chamblee police. North Peachtree is shut down in both directions from Peachtree Boulevard to North Shallowford Road.

Those who are stuck in traffic have a tropical storm to thank for the break on their air conditioners.

Tropical storms usually mean high winds and heavy rain, but Tropical Storm Chris in the Atlantic is driving away the humidity and bringing cooler temperatures, according to Channel 2.

Another dissipated storm is off the Gulf Coast, but it shouldn’t impact Georgia weather. What’s left of Tropical Storm Beryl should impact Puerto Rico with strong winds and heavy rain, Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said.

» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.