Severe weather threat diminishes, rush-hour delays build

The threat of severe weather is ending across metro Atlanta as a system of thunderstorms rapidly moves east, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Several counties have been dropped from a severe thunderstorm watch that was issued earlier Thursday for much of the state and all of metro Atlanta.

As the severe thunderstorms move rapidly east the threat is ending across much of metro Atlanta. Several metro counties have been dropped from the watch, but severe storms continue from Macon to Eatonton to Augusta. pic.twitter.com/5PNJ6jvS4p
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) June 20, 2019

The watch, which is set to expire at 10 p.m., now covers areas south and east of metro Atlanta, according to the National Weather Service.

Severe thunderstorm watch in yellow. Storms in Tennessee has the potential to impact NE Georgia this evening. I'm tracking that live on @wsbtv now. pic.twitter.com/1PoBpAXA0E
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) June 20, 2019

Strong wind gusts up to 70 mph are likely in those areas, and frequent lightning and scattered hail up to the size of a pingpong ball are possible, the Weather Service said.

While the severe weather threat has diminished in metro Atlanta, several crashes are causing delays on the evening commute.

A crash temporarily blocked eastbound lanes of I-20 in Carroll County. While lanes reopened about 4:30 p.m., drivers can expect lingering delays from Bremen to Temple, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

This was a #REDALERT in Carroll County. Reports are I-20/eb is back open. Expect lingering delays out of Bremen in to Temple. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/THhsMHeCIY
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) June 20, 2019

In Cobb County, a wreck involving two tractor-trailers and a Mini Cooper is backing up traffic on the Cloverleaf at the I-285 East exit to I-75 North, the Traffic Center reported.

Traffic Accident I285 EB Exit to I75 NB Cloverleaf. 2 18 wheelers and a Mini Cooper blocking the Left Lane of the Swing Ramp. Cobb PD (@cobbpolice1) & HERO units on scene. Truck load shifted will need offloading. Also other truck needs wrecker. #ATLtraffic #Atlanta #ATL pic.twitter.com/XrfZUt6tAz
— James Sinko (@JamesSinko) June 20, 2019

Daytime construction closed one lane of I-85 South at Pleasantdale Road, causing some delays through Gwinnett County for the afternoon commute, according to the Traffic Center.

The first wave of storms pushed across the Alabama line just before daybreak, prompting a series of severe thunderstorm warnings, dumping heavy rain and toppling trees in northwest Georgia, according to Channel 2.

In Cherokee County, a tree fell on a power line and ignited a transformer fire, emergency management officials told the news station.

Storm damage was also reported in Floyd, Meriwether, Polk, Pickens and Upson counties.

Terrible damage to this home in Rome from the storms this morning. Another round of severe weather is possible this afternoon. I'll be tracking this live on @wsbtv at noon. pic.twitter.com/VWeAWg9ab4
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) June 20, 2019

Despite the rain, the weather should remain warm and muggy. Currently, it is 85 degrees in Atlanta.

North Georgia is expected to have much drier air Friday, but some severe weather is still possible, Channel 2 chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said.

“We’re going to have another risk for strong and severe thunderstorms tomorrow,” he said.

The risk of scattered strong to severe storms returns again tomorrow. I'm updating the timing live on WSB-TV at 5 pm. pic.twitter.com/BncUFaBHPO
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) June 20, 2019

A Level 1 threat has been issued for all of North Georgia on Friday, meaning there is a threat of isolated storms with lightning and wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph, Burns said.

The wet weather is expected to move in Friday evening and stick around for much of Saturday according to Channel 2, and Burns said some of those storms could “pack quite a punch.”