Warm afternoon a preview of the weekend

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. High: 86

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

Temperatures reached into the 80s Friday afternoon, and it felt like it, according to Channel 2 Action News.

The temperature was 82 degrees in Atlanta just before 8 p.m.

The expected high was 84, Channel 2 reported. That’s just below the average high for this time of year of 85.

The early clouds faded quickly, making for a pleasant afternoon. And as an added plus, “we’re going to stay dry today,” Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

It’s a welcomed break after days of showers, but dry days might not be good for Georgia’s drought. Rain helped move 60 percent of the state out of drought, Channel 2 reported.

Only areas south and east of metro Atlanta and a small portion of far northeast Georgia are observing dry conditions.

Some spots including Eatonton are in a “moderate” drought, which is the third-worst drought category on the U.S. Drought Monitor’s scale.

But no areas of Georgia are in the worst levels of “severe” or “extreme” drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Metro Atlanta was expected to get more sunshine through the afternoon Friday, leading to a mostly sunny and hot weekend, Channel 2 reported. Temps should reach a high of 87 on Saturday and 88 on Sunday.

Scattered storms could return Monday and Tuesday, according to Channel 2.