North Georgia enjoyed a warm and mostly rain-free week, but Friday’s severe storms put a big dent in that streak.
Thanks to the cold front passing through, Saturday started off chilly, and the temperature isn’t expected to get warmer than 54 degrees this afternoon, which is 19 degrees below average for this time of year.
Temperatures are expected to return to more seasonal norms for Easter Sunday and next week.
“We’re off to a wet start, but we should have a dry finish just in time for Easter,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Eboni Deon said. “But for now, grab the umbrella along with a jacket because you will need both.”
EASTER WEEKEND: Chilly for sunrise services, but nice in time for egg hunts
Temps in Atlanta started off in the mid-40s, and the rest of the day is expected to be cool, wet and breezy.
Most of the scattered showers across metro Atlanta are on the lighter side, Deon said, and should dissipate throughout the day.
Traffic this morning is relatively clear with the exception of a vehicle fire that’s blocking most of the southbound lanes of I-75 at Hudson Bridge Road in Henry County.
Saturday’s forecast is far better than Friday’s, which saw severe weather move through Georgia, dousing several counties, prompting tornado warnings and knocking down trees. The counties that saw the most rainfall were Jackson and Banks, which amassed nearly 5½ inches.
“To put that in perspective, that’s two more inches of rain than we’re supposed to get the entire month of April,” Channel 2 meteorologist Glenn Burns said. “They got that in just a few hours.”
Some parts of Clayton and DeKalb counties got nearly 4½ inches.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The large amounts of rain caused lots of downed trees and power lines, and while many roads — such as Wawona Drive and Shady Valley Drive in Brookhaven — have reopened, some crumbled in places.
In Gwinnett County, a sinkhole developed on Scenic Highway, closing a northbound right turn lane onto Henry Clower Boulevard, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. The lane should be closed through the weekend for repairs.
MORE: Sinkhole forces partial closure of major Gwinnett road through the weekend
In Peachtree City, another sinkhole affected the intersection of Ga. 54 and Ga. 74, according to police. One right turn lane was shut down Friday, but more lanes might need to be blocked for construction crews.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
RELATED: Sinkhole shuts down one lane at Peachtree City intersection
Conyers also has its own sinkhole, which has closed Rowland Road between Rockdale County High School and Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, police said on Facebook.
The dreary weather Saturday might not make for the best day outdoors, but plenty of University of Georgia football fans will still flock to Athens for the G-Day game. The light rain isn't expected to affect the annual spring scrimmage.
Sunday morning will be similar to Saturday, so expect chilly temperatures if you’re getting up early for Easter services. The afternoon will warm up considerably into the low 70s, making for a great springtime day. It’ll also set the tone for the next few days, which should return Atlanta to the 80s.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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