WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Brief downpours scattered around Middle Georgia, metro area
ATLANTA FORECAST
Saturday: High: 89
Saturday night: Low: 72
Sunday: High: 90
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
There’s still a lot of moisture in the air, but metro Atlanta shouldn’t see nearly as much of it falling from the sky today, Channel 2 Action News reported.
There’s a few brief downpours around west and Middle Georgia, brushing up against the metro area, Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said.
The chance of rain is only 30 percent today with a few stronger thunderstorms expected to develop later this afternoon because of the afternoon heat, Walls said. She added that those storms may pack a punch though.
Fewer rain areas today at this hour. In the storms that have developed, brief, heavy downpours and lightning are threats. Notice their movement is swiftly southeast. #gawx pic.twitter.com/ernbTNhxg3
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) June 2, 2018
The hot, steamy afternoon should fuel these storms with temperatures predicted to reach up to an 89 degree high in Atlanta, Walls said. It’s currently 87 degrees.
"It's one of those days where you might have a brief, heavy downpour, and it moves on, so we can put that behind us,” Walls said.
The threat for strong/severe storms today stays to our northwest and south. That won't be the case tomorrow. I'm updating threats we can expect Sunday starting at 6AM. #gawx pic.twitter.com/fOazt8hMBu
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) June 2, 2018
This means Friday's onslaught of rain and hail that contributed to flooding, fires, downed trees and power lines, and road closures across North Georgia and metro Atlanta shouldn't repeat itself today.
The lack of consistent rain is good news for drivers and travelers, since roadways aren't slick and congested. WSB's 24-hour Traffic Center shows few areas of traffic or slowdowns on or within the Perimeter currently.
The chance of storms and rain goes up to 40 percent on Sunday, with a higher possibility of severe weather hitting the metro area, Walls said. As a result, metro Atlanta, Middle Georgia and northeast Georgia are all under a severe weather watch tomorrow.
While I'm not concerned about severe weather today, a few storms tomorrow could be strong/severe. Damaging wind, hail, heavy rainfall and lightning are my primary concerns. I'm not seeing a tornado threat at this time. #gawx pic.twitter.com/RLDfxKmJ1L
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) June 2, 2018
There is relief on the way soon though, Walls said. Starting Monday, the humidity should be flushed out of Georgia by a cold front moving in, pushing the rain and thunderstorms out with it.
"Finally a dry weather pattern is setting up as we head into your Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, looking at mostly sunny skies,” Walls said.
Lower humidity is on the way alongside a dry radar! But the cold front ahead of the changes could trigger strong and severe storms. I'm updating that timing next! #gawx pic.twitter.com/L6X8QWFeAA
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) June 2, 2018
Saturday has a lot of events and things to do around the metro area, but heading to the Chattahoochee River probably isn’t one of them. Runoff from the rains and the rising levels at Lake Lanier has spilled into the river, causing unsafe levels of bacteria.
Buford Dam is also releasing extra watch due to the high amounts of rain Friday, which is causing rapid rises and strong currents across the river, so it's best to avoid the Chattahoochee.
RELATED: 'Unsafe' Chattahoochee waters force river businesses to close
Not the best weekend to "Shoot the Hooch"! Excessive runoff from recent rainfall has led to High E. coli counts in the river. Plus, USACE is releasing water from Buford Dam, leading to risk of swift currents. #gawx pic.twitter.com/WEtM9UW2aY
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) June 2, 2018
The Braves started their game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park in Cobb County at 4:10 p.m. And Atlanta United hosts the Philadelphia Union at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The sporting events could cause traffic congestion nearby.
RELATED: 4 things to do this weekend in DeKalb
If movies are more your thing, "Black Panther" and "Moana" will have outdoor showings in Buford and Kennesaw, respectively.
For a closer look at the weekend outlook and things to do in your area:
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
