Georgia’s first weekend sheltering in place will be welcomed by plenty of sunshine and not a raindrop in sight.
The warm, calm weather is thanks to an area of high pressure hovering over the state, staving off more chaotic weather patterns that are moving through Texas and the Midwest, Channel 2 Action News chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said.
Atlanta started off in the mid-50s Saturday morning, but the afternoon highs should reach the high 70s. Sunday’s weather will be similar, but things will change when that storm system over the heartland moves toward Georgia, Burns said.
RELATED: What Georgians need to know about the shelter-in-place order
“That (area of) high pressure over us is going to keep us nice over the weekend but by Monday, this weather system will begin to move to the east,” he said. “That’s when we’re going to see an increase in the rain across northern Georgia.”
Despite the incoming rain next week, this weekend should be a great one to get some outdoor exercise — just practice social distancing and stay at least six feet away from others.
“For the afternoon, we’ll have partly cloudy skies and fantastic weather conditions all the way into the evening hours,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Eboni Deon said.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
With a high of 77 in Atlanta, today’s temperature will be about 7 degrees above average.
Atlanta’s pollen count is also up from yesterday, Deon said.
Saturday morning’s count was 1,881 pollen particles per cubic meter of air, According to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma, which tracks pollen levels. While that’s significantly higher than yesterday’s count of 983, it doesn’t come close to last Sunday’s count, which topped 8,900.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
While it should be a nice day to get outside for a little exercise, it’s important to avoid crowds in an effort to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Brian Kemp’s shelter in place order led to some parks reopening last night, while some areas — such as Cobb County — will keep parks and trails closed to the public.
MORE: Cobb County: Kemp's executive order doesn't reopen county parks
While volume on metro Atlanta’s interstates will be down this weekend, the number of construction crews will be way up, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Several interstates will be affected by ongoing roadwork projects.
A right lane of I-75 North will be blocked near Deering Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, according to DGOT. I-20 West will also have a right lane blocked near Glenwood Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Two right lanes of I-85 South will be closed near Clairmont Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, GDOT said. A right lane of I-285 South at I-75 will also be blocked off for roadwork between 7 a.m. and noon.
MORE: With traffic down, is now a good time to fix the potholes?
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page .
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
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