WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Evening showers possible in metro Atlanta

ATLANTA FORECAST

Monday: High: 89

Monday night: Low: 72

Tuesday: High: 85

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

It’s been a mostly dry day for much of metro Atlanta, but that could change this evening.

“A nice reprieve from the rain over the weekend,” Channel 2 Action News Chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said, “but unfortunately we’re going to crank up the rain train this week and it all begins (Tuesday).”

Right now, showers are northwest of Atlanta, with the bulk of them in Polk County, according to Channel 2.

Light showers popped up in DeKalb County, but Burns said that’s all that is expected for the afternoon.

More rain is expected in the metro area about 8 p.m., with isolated showers continuing through 11 p.m., Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

A high-pressure system off the east coast of Bermuda combined with a system from the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico is funneling moisture into North Georgia, according to Channel 2.

“So, (both) of those are teaming up to give us a big fire hose of rain,” Burns said.

A slow-moving front will bring more widespread rain and storms to the area Tuesday through Thursday, and maybe longer, according to Channel 2.

Showers are expected to get started in the late morning Tuesday and continue throughout the day. There is a 70 percent chance of rain.

North Georgia could get between 3 and 4 inches over the next couple of days, Channel 2 reported. Some places could see up to 5 inches.

The good news: evening rain will be far out of the way of school dismissals.

However, that could change when showers are expected early Tuesday.

Thousands of students in Henry, Rockdale and Jackson counties are back in session. Other metro Atlanta school districts will see students return later this week and next week.