WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Severe storms move out, but showers should continue tonight

ATLANTA FORECAST 

Thursday: High: 89

Thursday night: Low: 74

Friday: High: 92

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

A severe storm barraged North Georgia and metro Atlanta earlier this afternoon, leaving damage in its wake. While some isolated showers are expected to continue into the evening, the severe weather should be over, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

“It was a rough start to the afternoon — that’s for sure,” Nitz said.

The temperature has dropped to the low 70s after reaching the upper 80s before the severe weather began. An earlier severe thunderstorm watch for most of metro Atlanta was canceled in the mid-afternoon by the National Weather Service.

The aftermath of the storms isn't helping the evening commute, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

The Northern Perimeter and Downtown Connector are seeing heavy delays, but storm damage is at a minimum on roadways.

A multi-vehicle wreck on I-75 South near Moores Mill Road has been moved to the HOV lane and is causing backups, the Traffic Center reported. A wreck in DeKalb County on I-285 North near Lavista Road has blocked two right lanes, which is also causing delays.

Lightning also caused some damage across Gwinnett County, according to the Gwinnett County Fire Department. A fire in a garage at an apartment complex on McKendree Church Road in Lawrenceville was reportedly caused by lightning earlier today, officials said.

Lightning reportedly caused a fire at a Lawrenceville apartment complex during Thursday's storms.

Trees also fell on an apartment building on Club Lakes Parkway in unincorporated Lawrenceville, officials confirmed.

Chattooga and Floyd counties also reported downed trees.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was also affected by the storms, with delays peaking at nearly two hours, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Departures delays are now about 15 to 30 minutes, with arrival delays at 15 minutes or less, the FAA reported.

Channel 2 Chief meteorologist Glenn Burns tweeted that the Chattahoochee River is under another health advisory after the rain today. The estimated E. coli counts are considered a high risk, so avoid getting into the water until the concentration returns to safe levels.

Much of North Georgia could get a break from the daily deluge Friday. But don’t get used to it, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton said. More rain is on the way for the weekend.

“A little less action (Friday) afternoon, but then it picks up again on Saturday and Sunday,” she said.

Both days have a 40 percent chance of isolated afternoon storms, according to Channel 2.

The heat and the chance of rain should go hand-in-hand, according to Channel 2, with Friday predicted to be the warmest at a 92-degree high.

» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow  @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.