WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Code Orange smog alert mars nearly perfect summer afternoon

ATLANTA FORECAST 

Saturday: High: 92

Saturday night: Low: 71

Sunday: High: 92

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

The sun is shining, the sky is blue and there’s barely a cloud in sight. Seems like a perfect day in North Georgia, right?

“It could not be nicer out there. But the one issue we do have on this hot day is ... a Code Orange air quality alert,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

This means sensitive groups, such as children and the elderly, should avoid prolonged time outdoors during the afternoon due to the poor air quality, Monahan said. No day can truly be perfect.

At least the rain chance “is as low as it gets,” according to Monahan. The expected dry day is mostly thanks to a stationary front that is keeping most of the rain consolidated to the southeast corner of the state and the Eastern Coastline, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

The lack of rain and clouds should help fuel Atlanta’s heat all the way up to a predicted 92 degrees this afternoon. For now, temperatures remain in the upper 80s.

However, drivers in Gwinnett County might not be having as good of a morning. A tractor-trailer crash on I-85 near Jimmy Carter Boulevard previously blocked five lanes, leaving only the far right lane moving, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Only the shoulder is blocked at lunchtime, which is still causing minor delays.

Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said the low rain chances this weekend is because the stationary front is separating two different air masses, causing significantly different weather on each side.

“South of the front, you've got showers and thunderstorms risks with more moisture,” Nitz said. “North of the front, it's a different air mass (that's) much drier.”

If you’re a sports fan, luckily SunTrust Park is north of this front.

The Braves continue their home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at 7:10 p.m. Saturday. Per usual, this could congest Cobb roadways leading up to first pitch.

Construction on I-285 from South Atlanta Road to Hollowell Parkway has two right lanes blocked, which could contribute to traffic delays, according to the Traffic Center.

As "summer" as baseball is, nothing beats ice cream on a hot July day. At Piedmont Park Saturday, the 8th Annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival will surely be how many decide to cool off during the afternoon. The festival lasts from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Unfortunately, the dry days are numbered as a new front is expected to move into Georgia early next week, raising the chances of rain to 40 percent Monday and 70 percent Tuesday.

» For a closer look at the weekend outlook and things to do in your area:

Atlanta | Cobb | DeKalb | Gwinnett | North Fulton