SATURDAY’S WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Most of North Georgia seeing cooler temperatures

North Georgia’s search for fall might finally be coming to an end — at least for some areas.

A wedge of cool air entered the northeast corner of the state Saturday morning, bringing clouds and cooler temperatures with it, said Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Glenn Burns.

If you live near Gainesville or Athens, the expected high dips to the low 70s today, but west Georgia and the Southside won’t get nearly as much relief from the heat. LaGrange should still hit 88 degrees, while Carrollton and Rome should reach the mid-80s, Burns said.

Atlanta lies somewhere in between, with morning temperatures in the low 70s and an expected high of 81 degrees. These temperatures are still above average for October, but they’re significantly lower than the last few days, which continued Atlanta’s streak of shattered records.

Friday peaked at 97 degrees, breaking another daily heat record and making it the 91st day at or above 90 degrees. Atlanta typically only reached the 90-degree mark 37 times a year.

Burns said Friday was likely the last day we’ll see temperatures reach the 90s this year.

"What a difference a day makes," Channel 2 meteorologist Eboni Deon said. "It is finally feeling more like fall."
While it's still warmer than average for this time of year, the temperature is about 20 degrees cooler than it was yesterday, she said.

North Georgia’s dry spell may also come to an end over the weekend. Atlanta has a 20% chance of rain and drizzle Saturday and Sunday, which should help keep temperatures cool.

Football fans won’t have to worry about a washout, though. Georgia State hosts Arkansas State at 3:30 p.m., while Georgia Tech hosts North Carolina at 4 p.m. In Athens, the University of Georgia will take on the University of Tennessee at 7 p.m.

As for traffic, Douglasville drivers should expect delays today as authorities repair a water main break at the intersection of Ga. 5 and Douglas Boulevard.

Streets in Midtown have reopened after being shut down earlier while an old office building was imploded.

This fall-like weather should stick around as a cold front moves into Georgia on Monday, bringing a ton of rain with it, Burns said. The chance of showers jumps to 60% Monday and 40% Tuesday.

That wetter weather should also help distribute cooler air across the state.

“More cool air will be arriving as we get into Monday and Tuesday next week, and that’s when I think you’ll really get to notice that nice fall air across North Georgia for everybody,” he said.

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