WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Scattered showers enter Atlanta; could become severe

ATLANTA FORECAST 

Saturday: High: 85

Saturday night: Low: 71

Sunday: High: 86

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

A pattern of rainstorms have made their way into Atlanta and are scattered across North Georgia, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The temperature has reached 85 degrees, which is the predicted high for the day, but the storm’s cloud cover is expected to dip the temperature, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said. This is all thanks to a cold front that passed through North Georgia.

“Even thought (the cold front) is to our south, it could still unsettle our afternoon,” Monahan said.

This is exactly what happened Friday as the cold front entered North Georgia, pounding metro Atlanta — and especially its interstates — with heavy downpours, hail and lightning.

The National Weather Service hasn’t issued any warnings or watches for Georgia yet, but no watches were in place yesterday before the storms flooded the Downtown Connector with over an inch of rain either. So people still need to keep an eye on the forecast throughout the afternoon in case severe weather develops.

On Friday afternoon alone, Atlanta received about a third of its typical rainfall for an average July, so Saturday’s potential storms could only add to that total.

If severe weather develops, it could consist of large hail, lots of lightning, heavy downpours and strong, damaging winds. Most of those were present and accounted for Friday.

As long as interstates don’t flood again, congestion on Atlanta roads should improve Saturday despite a few construction projects north of I-20.

In Cobb County, I-285 North has two right lanes closed near South Cobb Drive, which should slow down traffic, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. It shouldn’t be cleared until 8 p.m. today.

I-85 South also has one lane closed near Metropolitan Parkway, which is causing some congestion, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Construction has closed two lanes on I-75 near Ga. 5 in Cobb County, which is causing heavy backups, the Traffic Center reported.

Ga. 400 North between exits 16 and 17 will have two right lanes closed until 5 p.m. Sunday, according to a tweet from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

Both the Braves and Atlanta United are on the road this weekend, which should free up the surrounding roadways during the afternoon — that is, however, unless you want to head to SunTrust Park to watch the game in a ballpark setting.

Tropical storm Beryl was briefly upgraded to hurricane Beryl for a few hours this morning before it was again downgraded to a tropical storm, according to the National Weather Service. It’s far enough out in the Atlantic Ocean where it shouldn’t affect this weekend’s weather in Georgia.

However, a strengthening tropical depression along the East Coast could introduce more dry air early this week, Monahan said.

Sunday is when Georgians can reap the benefits of this cold front passing through. The predicted high is 86 degrees, and the chance of rain drops to 40 percent. It should stay under 34 percent through the middle of next week.

» 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.