LIVE WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Ground stop lifted at Atlanta airport as storms move south

[8:38 p.m.]: The ground stop at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has been lifted early, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The heaviest rain has moved south, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz.

UPDATE [7:50 p.m.]: Due to the heavy rain moving through Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is under a ground stop, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It's scheduled to end at 9:30 p.m.

ORIGINAL STORY: While the Southside and most areas inside the Perimeter are dry, many Northside counties are getting doused during the evening commute.

Regardless of the weather, most metro Atlanta interstates are moving slowly, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Clayton County is being affected by a crash in the right lane of I-75 North just before the Perimeter, which is creating delays back to U.S. 41, the Traffic Center reported.

I-20 East is recovering after a crash near the Downtown Connector, the Traffic Center reported. The wreck has been cleared, but delays linger.

Gwinnett County is also recovering after a crash on I-85 North at Hamilton Mill Road, the Traffic Center reported.

After being shut down for hours due to a deadly crash, Winters Chapel Road at Peachtree Industrial Boulevard have reopened in Gwinnett, authorities said.

A heavy system of rain and gusty wind is moving through Cherokee, Cobb and Paulding counties, according to Channel 2 Action News, which will affect travel in those counties. The rain is expected to move through metro Atlanta by 7 p.m., leaving only a few lingering showers overnight.

After reaching its projected high of 68 degrees Thursday afternoon, Atlanta has begun to cool off, Channel 2 reported.

The entire region started off much warmer than the day before, about 10 degrees higher on average than Wednesday’s morning lows.

The city should stay mild through the early evening hours. Even with the rain around, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said temps should be in the 50s for Thursday night plans.

Sprinkles are possible into early Friday morning as the cold front makes its way through the state, he said. Much colder air is on the other side of the front.

“We're in that time of year ... where things swing wildly,” Monahan said. “Yesterday (was) beautiful in the low 70s. By the time we hit next week, we're going to have temperatures down in the teens and 20s.”

North Georgia could wake up to lows in the 30s and 40s Friday morning. It will be chilly, but Monahan said he is encouraged by the timing of the front that would put rain in Middle and South Georgia for the start of the Friday morning commute.

“It’s increasingly likely that we're going to have a dry morning commute tomorrow but a chilly one across North Georgia, and a sunnier afternoon tomorrow,” he said. “By Friday afternoon, we're in the mid-50s.”

Saturday’s morning lows will be in the 20s and 30s, according to the latest forecast. After a brief bump in temperatures, Monahan said numbers will fall again as the next shot of cold air arrives next week.

After Thursday’s 70% chance of showers, Monahan said he expects even more rain in the weeks ahead. Wet weather may complicate plans and travel, but it’s needed.

A new drought monitor released Thursday by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division shows drought conditions are easing in North Georgia. While moderate to severe conditions continue, no part of North Georgia is under extreme drought.

Drought conditions have been steadily improving across the region after peaking about two weeks ago, Monahan said.

From July to September, North Georgia recorded only about 5 inches of total rainfall. A more recent shift in the weather pattern has brought 3.5 inches to the region in October alone, according to Channel 2.

“We're really starting to catch up here, and I see things improving even more over the next week to 10 days,” Monahan said.

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

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