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.
*Video* Engine 30 extinguishes vehicle fire. 75/85 NB before University Ave. #AFRD pic.twitter.com/HdUJnvpRsN
— Atlanta Fire Rescue (@ATLFireRescue) August 8, 2019
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.
open. Lingering delays on I-85/nb. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/fH3D6stRWZ
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) August 8, 2019
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.
Gwinnett Co: Looks like trouble on Hwy 316/eb before Collins Hill Rd. Heavy delays leaving I-85. Hwy 120/Duluth Hwy the best alternate. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/j2xHL1ZFrc
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) August 8, 2019
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.
Rain has cooled down some places within our heat advisory, but others continue to feel the heat! 🔥 Be sure to follow all heat precautions! #gawx #HeatSafety pic.twitter.com/twnU2BdqGq
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) August 8, 2019
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.”
HEATWAVE! Goooooood morning! We're going to have one of our hottest stretches of days this summer through early next week and likely beyond as temperatures on many days climb into the mid to upper 90s.
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) August 8, 2019
Stay hydrated and take it easy out there! @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/xZVeaMZDPY
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.
Just zoomed in to show you the areas that have a best chance for an isolated shower or storm today -- and that's the south side... that means you in Pike County for your #Back2School forecast! @Wsbtv pic.twitter.com/L9teEHGUEu
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) August 8, 2019
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.”
Drier air is moving into north Georgia now and we'll cut back our storm chances this afternoon... I'm looking ahead at the weekend forecast, too, at 4:30am on @wsbtv!
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) August 8, 2019
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.