Light rain returns; sunny skies set for Friday

Tomorrow: Sunny. High: 59

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

Light rain has returned to metro Atlanta, but a break could be in store this weekend, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Light to moderate showers should last through Thursday evening, Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said. And a cold front has entered the metro area, triggering lower temperatures.

But the wet weather should subside by Friday, when clear skies are expected. Atlanta is expected to reach a high of 60, the average for this time of year.

Sunny skies and cool temps should last through the weekend.

Temperatures Thursday quickly surpassed the average high. It soared to 73 degrees early Thursday, then dropped 10 degrees as the first round of storms hit. It’s currently 56.

Gusts came close to 60 mph and a severe thunderstorm warning was issued just before 11:50 a.m. for Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties.

At one point, the weather station at Channel 2 showed a rainfall rate of 3.69 inches per hour, Nitz said.

The National Weather Service even advised of an enhanced risk for a brief tornado in Barrow, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, Hall and Gwinnett counties.

But as quickly as the severe weather came, it went.

And by noon, the thunderstorm warning had expired.

A wind advisory that was in effect for the Southside of metro Atlanta expired at 6 p.m. Some gusts reached 35 mph.

In far North Georgia, flooding is the lasting concern, Channel 2 reported. A flash flood watch for the area is scheduled to last until Thursday evening, according to the NWS.

“Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation,” the NWS said. “You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.”