ATLANTA FORECAST
Saturday: High: 89
Saturday night: Low: 72
Sunday: High: 92
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
Severe thunderstorm warnings have expired across far North Georgia, but a second wave of storms is coming, Channel 2 Action News reported.
An earlier severe thunderstorm watch was also cancelled for much of northwest Georgia.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Katie Walls said the risk for widespread severe storms for metro Atlanta is lessening, but that cluster of storms over Alabama could cause problems this evening.
This has a chance to affect the Braves game currently going on against the Baltimore Orioles. Friday’s game was delayed 10 minutes due to the storms.
Traffic in Cobb County will likely increase as well near the end of the game. But luckily, unlike last weekend, drivers don’t have to content with repair work all weekend at the off-ramp from I-285 eastbound to Cobb Parkway due to a sinkhole near SunTrust Park.
RELATED: Braves rally after bullpen collapse in ninth, but lose to Orioles in 15 innings
Metro Atlanta and northwest Georgia were expected to see similar severe thunderstorms as Friday, which downed many trees and power lines across North Georgia. But the storm patterns have remained far north for now.
“It’s kind of an unusual pattern for the start of summertime,” Monahan said.
What is also unusual is a small earthquake that hit Middle Georgia earlier this morning. The weak 2.4 magnitude quake occurred in Gray, which is about 15 miles from Macon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
RELATED: Small earthquake registered in Middle Georgia near Macon
Heavy rain, lightning, possible hail and strong winds up to 60 mph are possibilities , but the strong winds are what’s going to propel these storms through Georgia and potentially knock down trees.
“(The winds) will give our storms some extra kick this afternoon,” Monahan said.
A cold front is moving through Georgia this weekend, which will bring temperatures down a few degrees. Don’t mistake that for cold though, since the high Saturday is still 89 degrees. It is cool compared to Monday’s predicted 94 degree high in Atlanta, which is after the cold front passes through.
The chance of rain goes down after Saturday at least. It drops to 30 percent for Saturday and 20 percent for Monday, allowing Atlanta and North Georgia some time to dry out.
It also should provide chances for construction. The Georgia Department of Transportation warned drivers there will be major delays on I-285 between Moreland Avenue and Conley Road. Three lanes will be closed, so it’s advised to find alternate routes.
Repairs to two sinkholes on Venture Drive in Gwinnett County are still underway. The road is closed between Steve Reynolds Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road, which is located near Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth.
MORE: Sinkholes near Gwinnett Place Mall close street for second day
GDOT will also close two southbound lanes on Peachtree Road between Palisades Road and Collier Road for sewer line replacement. Those lanes will be closed until Friday, GDOT said.
» For a closer look at the weekend outlook and things to do in your area:
Atlanta | Cobb | DeKalb | Gwinnett | North Fulton
» 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.
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