Nearly rain-free weekend makes for ‘spectacular’ time outdoors

With plenty of sunshine and a high of nearly 80 degrees, Saturday should be a great day to get outside.

Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Glenn Burns didn’t hold back when he called Saturday a “spectacular day.” With no rain in the forecast and an expected high of 78 degrees, spectacular sounds about right.

After a chilly start in some parts of North Georgia, the weather is warming up nicely, Channel 2 meteorologist Eboni Deon said.

‘It’s going to be a fantastic day to get out and about and enjoy the sunshine,” Deon said. “We’re going to see plenty of it.”

Though it should get warm by late afternoon, Deon suggested a light jacket for those heading out this morning.

Those planning on attending the Inman Park Festival will have nothing to fret about. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

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The Braves will also have great conditions when they take on the Colorado Rockies at 7:20 p.m. at SunTrust Park. Traffic near Smyrna should pick up both before and after the game.

While most will appreciate a sunny weekend, the dry weather may not be great for allergy sufferers. Pollen levels rose Saturday to 322 particles per cubic meter of air, according to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma, the organization that tracks the daily pollen count. That’s up from a pollen count of 95 particles per cubic meter on Friday.

Deon said it’s the time of year when grass pollen starts to get worse, cautioning allergy sufferers with plans to mow the lawn this weekend.

“Take your medication. Do whatever you can to protect yourself,” she said.

With good weather comes lots of construction. As part of the Transform I-285/Ga. 400 project, Georgia Department of Transportation crews will be very active at the North Fulton interchange. For a full list of overnight closures, click here.

Drivers may also experience delays on the Downtown Connector as an estimated hundreds of motorcyclists hit the highway for the 28th annual Georgia Police Memorial Ride. The Connector is expected to be shut down between 11 a.m and 12:30 p.m. for the ride.

In Cobb, road work in the northbound lanes of I-75 blocked three left lanes.

Motorists heading north are urged to use Cobb Parkway to avoid delays. And in Smyrna, the city’s annual Jonquil Festival has Atlanta Road shut down Saturday and Sunday.

Drivers should use South Cobb Drive to avoid delays caused by the festivities, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported.

Sunday should be slightly warmer than Saturday, despite a 20 percent chance of showers.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

That should set the tone for the work week, when morning temperatures return to seasonal norms while the daily high heats up to 79 degrees, setting the tone for a warmer-than-average week.

Deon said next week’s temperatures should make it feel more like June.