WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Interstates still rough as sun sets after 60-degree day

ATLANTA FORECAST

Thursday: High: 58

Thursday night: Low: 45

Friday: High: 59

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

Atlanta hit 60 degrees for a glorious hour or so Thursday afternoon, but the sun is setting and temps will drop back into the mid-40s overnight.

Not all good things can last forever.

However, traffic congestion across metro Atlanta can stop anytime it wants to.

At 6:30 p.m., drivers are still moving slowly, especially in Gwinnett County. At least three lanes of I-85 North near Indian Trail Road are blocked by a crash, which has traffic jammed back to Brookhaven, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

A crash in the right lane of I-85 North near Spaghetti Junction also increased delays in the area, the Traffic Center reported. The lane has since reopened, but traffic is still moving slow.

The cold air is moving out and warmer air is pushing in, setting up North Georgia for a big change in our weather pattern, according to Channel 2 Action News.

“By the time we hit the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, we'll have temperatures near 70,” Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said. “We also have rain and a chance of storms.”

Metro Atlanta had not left the 40s earlier this week, but the city reached 60 degrees at 3 p.m., which is slightly warmer than predicted.

Clouds are expected to thicken Thursday night before rain moves into North Georgia on Friday morning. There is a 40 percent chance of showers Friday, according to Channel 2.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a whole lot for the morning commute in metro Atlanta, but there will be some showers in the North Georgia mountains, ” Monahan said. “Then, through the day, these (showers) kind of press to the south, so that in the afternoon we’ll pick up more clouds, some showers around.”

Friday is still going to be mild in Atlanta with afternoon highs in the upper 50s, he said. Temperatures jump again Saturday, but the chance for heavy rain and strong storms increases.

A line of showers and storms will be moving through the South on Saturday, he said, and the highest risk for severe weather will be to the west of Georgia.

“A lower risk into North Georgia, but there is a chance of some strong storms, some heavy rain, wind gusts above 40 mph,” Monahan said. “An isolated brief tornado, we can’t rule that out.”

The line is expected to come through North Georgia on Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Saturday should be the best weekend day for outdoor plans with a 40 percent chance of rain, according to Channel 2. Sunday’s rain chance jumps to 80 percent.

“We’ll take the warm air, even if it comes with the rain,” Monahan said.