Metro Atlanta’s interstates are slow, but at least there isn’t a car engulfed in flames clogging up downtown.
A car fire on the Downtown Connector stifled the interstate ahead of the evening commute, but Atlanta Fire Rescue has extinguished the blaze, and the crash has been cleared.
Not too far away, a stalled vehicle slowed I-85 North drivers just before Ga. 400, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. The vehicle has been moved, but delays linger.
Gwinnett County drivers are enduring heavy delays on I-85 and Ga. 316. A right lane of Ga. 316 East is blocked by a crash at Collins Hill Road, the Traffic Center reported.
Atlanta is hovering in the low 90s Thursday, and Channel 2 Action News reported that North Georgia is staring down the hottest part of the summer over the next few days.
The long-range forecast shows high temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s through next week, according to Channel 2. Average highs for this time of year are in the upper 80s.
Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said all this heat in early August may have you checking the calendar.
“Isn't fall right around the corner? It is, about five weeks away officially,” he said. “But we are in the peak of our summertime heat the next few days.”
There is not much in the way of rain Thursday to tamp down the heat. While they are low, the rain chances are not zero for all of North Georgia.
The only semblance of rain close to Atlanta is in Troup County, and Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said the showers aren’t too heavy.
“That's about it as far as rainfall now, and in fact, we're going to be pretty dry for the next couple of days,” he said.
Everyone else should stay mainly dry through Thursday afternoon and evening. A better chance of rain returns Friday, however. Scattered storms are 30% likely to end the work week, according to Channel 2.
“No weather problems for bus stops or the drive to work (Friday),” Nitz said. “It'll be a warm start to a hot day.”
Even with the rain around, Saturday’s projected high is 93 degrees. Sunday will be mainly dry with a high of 95, according to the latest forecast.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
