WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Rain a reality on event-filled day in Atlanta

ATLANTA FORECAST

Saturday: High: 64

Saturday night: Low: 59

Sunday: High: 73

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

The expected rainy Saturday has begun in Atlanta.

There was “widespread rain” in the morning, with “more to come later today,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

The rain is expected to get SEC Championship game tailgaters wet and has already canceled several parades in metro Atlanta.

MORE: Is the Christmas parade in your town canceled? Rain sinks weekend festivities

The rain should keep coming until midafternoon or early evening, Monahan said.

The good news: “There’s no threat of thunder, no threat of lightning” for the (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas) Parade,” Monahan said.

The SEC Championship between Georgia and Alabama will kick off at 4 p.m. All roads around Mercedes-Benz Stadium are expected to be packed before and after the game.

The WSB 24-hour Traffic Center predicts the Downtown Connector’s southbound ramping to Williams Street and northbound ramping onto Peachtree Road and Spring Street will be jammed, so it’s recommended to find an alternative.

Before the game, the Georgia World Congress Center should be packed because of SEC FanFare, which lasts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Children’s parade will make its way through Midtown rain or shine, according to Channel 2. The parade is set to begin at 10:20 a.m., and the Traffic Center expects the roads to be blocked in the 8 a.m. hour.

Atlanta police sent a tweet that shows the road closures for the parade.

To wrap up the busy day, Elton John will perform the second of his two “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” Atlanta shows, which will begin at 8 p.m. at State Farm Arena.

This will not help downtown traffic, especially as fans are leaving Mercedes-Benz Stadium around the same time.

MORE: Going to Saturday's Elton John concert? Pay attention to traffic

Rain chances drop significantly Sunday, with a 40 percent chance in the morning before it clears up in the afternoon, according to the latest forecast. It will also warm up to an expected high of 73.