WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Storms move into Atlanta, cause roadways to stall

ATLANTA FORECAST 

Thursday: High: 90

Thursday night: Low: 74

Friday: High: 88

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

A system of storms are moving into the metro Atlanta area and have the potential to bring 30-mph winds, hail, lightning and heavy downpours with them, Channel 2 Action News reported.

I-285 and the Downtown Connector have already seen heavy delays as a result of the weather, new crashes and construction projects.

A stalled tractor-trailer on I-285 North near Paces Ferry Road has blocked all lanes, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

There’s construction on I-75 North at Windy Hill Road and on the I-285 Outer Loop at Paces Ferry Road. At I-285 East at the I-75 exit, a shoulder is closed.

Road work will keep Memorial Drive, between Pearl Street and Chester Avenue, shut down through Saturday, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

And in Gwinnett County, Venture Drive is closed between Steve Reynolds Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road due to sinkhole repairs.

MORE: Sinkholes open near Gwinnett Place Mall, closing street

Thursday has a 40 percent chance of rain for the official start of summer, which will mostly consist of these isolated afternoon showers and brief downpours, according to Channel 2 Action News.

“They’ll be slow-movers, which could mean some ponding on the roads, so please use some extra care there,” Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said.

On the longest day of the year, showers are expected to build in time for the evening commute, when drivers may have to contend with traffic for various NBA Draft watch parties around downtown Atlanta.

The Hawks are hosting parties at the Tabernacle and STATS Brewpub, and since the Hawks have the third pick in this year's draft, it's likely people will rush to make it there before the 7 p.m. start time.

Temperatures shouldn’t be as high as they were Wednesday, but it will still be hot.

“Today we're going 90 here in Atlanta, but some spots will not get out of the mid- to upper 80s for today,” Minton said. “And in the next couple of days, you may see temperatures holding back a little.”