Construction affects Northside as Atlanta warms into mid-60s

It’s a sunny afternoon in metro Atlanta as North Georgia’s mild weather streak hits its apex Thursday.

Traffic is equally mild, aside from a few construction projects, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

A right lane of I-85 South in Gwinnett County is blocked at Pleasantdale Road for construction, which is creating delays back to Indian Trail Road, according to the Traffic Center.

We caught two knuckleheads driving between the cones of the right lane road work closure I-85/sb at Pleasantdale (Exit 96). Slow back to Indian Trail (Exit 101). Take Buford Hwy. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/2hvjWkI3bV pic.twitter.com/VCUuGALaYw
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) November 21, 2019

Routine roadwork is causing delays on I-20 West at Thornton Road in Douglas County, where a right lane is blocked, the Traffic Center reported.

The sun comes up, the son goes down, and the right lane again has been blocked all day I-20/wb w of Hwy. 6/Thornton (Exit 44) and is causing brief #ATLtraffic delays. https://t.co/2hvjWkI3bV pic.twitter.com/YMxejOt6T5
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) November 21, 2019

Construction is causing a mess near Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. Only one lane of Collier Road is open in each direction at Peachtree Road. The project is impacting traffic getting into Midtown, the Traffic Center reported.

Construction on Collier Rd. at Peachtree Rd leaves only one lane open in each direction. Delays in Midtown. https://t.co/j2xHL1ZFrc #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/ytx3HqIoDV
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) November 21, 2019

Clouds filling the sky Thursday are in advance of a weather system that will make for a very wet start to the weekend, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Thursday should be dry before the rain moves in Friday evening.

“Some wet weather affects your Friday night plans and most definitely will affect Saturday,” Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

The clouds are expected to thicken by late Thursday night, but Monahan said there should still be lots of opportunities for sunshine to peek through. By Friday, North Georgia will turn mostly cloudy ahead of a few sprinkles and showers.

Also keeping an eye on the potential for some strong storms on Saturday with the later timing of the cold front... diving into that part of the forecast 4:30-7am on Channel 2! @wsbtv
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) November 21, 2019

The second half of the weekend, however, is much drier. No rain is in the forecast Sunday, but temperatures will take a 20-degree drop from Thursday’s afternoon highs.

“We'll go from highs near 70 today and tomorrow down into the mid-50s, so Sunday will be chilly but a mostly sunny sky.”

Weather pattern is trending wet as we move into the last several days of November and the start of December.

Yes, that includes chances for rain through Thanksgiving weekend! @wsbtv
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) November 21, 2019

Atlanta is forecast to reach 68 degrees Thursday, about six degrees above average for this time of year. Some areas could hit 70. The city has reached 65 degrees so far.

The weather should still be mild after dark. Monahan said North Georgia can expect a repeat of a beautiful sunset with comfortable temperatures into the evening. Even a few hours after the sun goes down, numbers should be in the 60s and upper 50s, according to Channel 2.

There could also be the possibility of a show in the night sky. A meteor storm is expected between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., giving you the chance to view many shooting stars in the span of about an hour.

I'll explain more at 5:49am on Channel 2! @wsbtv https://t.co/8LyIl2TM2S
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) November 21, 2019

In order to see them, Monahan said you’ll have to move away from city lights and give your eyes a chance to adjust to the dark. The thickening clouds will also have to cooperate.

“This happens every year,” he said. “This year, though, astronomers say the show could be especially spectacular as long as the clouds stay just thin enough tonight across metro Atlanta.”