It hasn’t been a fun — or happy — day traveling Thursday on the Southside. And now it’s pouring in places.
A deadly crash involving two tractor-trailers and a pickup truck had all northbound lanes of I-75 shut down for hours before Ga. 20 in McDonough, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
MORE: 2 killed in fiery crash on I-75 North in Henry; lanes reopen after 5-hour blockage
The WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported there were heavy southbound delays due to rubbernecking. Just before 6 p.m., all northbound lanes reopened.
At the time of the collision, traffic was already stopped behind another tractor-trailer crash. The earlier crash, which happened just before the I-675 interchange, was cleared by 12:30 p.m.
RELATED: Big rig crashes on I-75 North in Henry County, spills drywall
Authorities turned traffic around on the interstate at 1 p.m. to relieve some of the backups. Take Ga. 42, Tara Boulevard or I-85 North to get around the jam, the Traffic Center reported.
Making matters worse, isolated downpours are moving through the area, dousing drivers packed on surface streets, according to the Traffic Center.
Atlanta’s other instates are in the middle of the evening commute. However, there aren’t any other major wrecks blocking multiple lanes, according to the Traffic Center.
Atlanta surpassed Wednesday’s high temperature of 77 degrees by lunchtime Thursday. The city is now in the low 80s.
North Georgia will ease into the heat over the next few days before 90-degree temps are in the forecast for the first time this year, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said. High pressure settling in over the state will crank things up through the weekend.
“The heat is really going to start to build in the coming days as that high settles in across North Georgia,” Monahan said. “By the weekend ... temperatures will close in on 90 degrees for the first time this year. I think we'll fall short this weekend. We will not fall short next week.”
The record highs for next week are in the mid-90s, and Monahan said it’s likely North Georgia will get pretty close to those numbers.
After some isolated showers fell over west Georgia on Thursday morning, a few more popup storms arrived in the afternoon, according to Channel 2.
“Coverage of showers and storms will be very limited,” Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said.
It’s forecast to be even warmer Friday, but Monahan said the area of high pressure above the state will weaken enough to let in a few more evening showers. He expects to be tracking isolated downpours across North Georgia around 8 p.m.
The rain chance holds at 30 percent Friday. While Monahan said a few showers can’t be ruled out Saturday and Sunday, the chances are lower.
“We'll keep it mainly dry and hot over the weekend in the upper 80s,” he said.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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