WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Gwinnett gridlocked by I-85 crash as temps near 80

Wrecks have I-85, I-285 and I-20 all struggling.

As a result, pretty much all of metro Atlanta is hitting the breaks Thursday as the evening commute chugs along.

In Gwinnett County, three right lanes of I-85 South are blocked just before Beaver Ruin Road, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Delays span back to Ga. 316 and surface streets are also being affected.

#TRAVELADVISORY Gwinnett Co: Crash now in up to 3 right lanes. Big delays leaving Hwy 316. Use Satellite Blvd or Buford Hwy as an alternate. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/j2xHL1ZFrc pic.twitter.com/JICTjmF0pj
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) October 10, 2019

In the other direction, a stalled tractor-trailer was blocking a right lane on I-85 North at Indian Trail Road, creating delays back to the Perimeter, the Traffic Center reported. It has since been moved to the right shoulder.

Moved off to the right. All lanes open. Still slow back before I-285. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/oFZHi6i8PW
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) October 10, 2019

The Perimeter’s inner loop has some major delays in Fulton County, where several lanes are blocked at Riverside Drive, the Traffic Center reported.

Getting some lanes open ⚠️ TRAVEL ADVISORY Fulton Co.: Crash..I-285/eb (Inner loop) at Riverside Dr (Exit 24), down to right lane blocked. Delays. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/wuaZctebme pic.twitter.com/XbKpqdpHk5
— 🔥Fireball Turnbull 🚁 (@DougTurnbull) October 10, 2019

Also in Fulton, a right lane of I-20 East is blocked at Fulton Industrial Boulevard, and delays are quickly growing, the Traffic Center reported.

Fulton Co: Crash...I-20/eb at Fulton Industrial Blvd (Exit 49). Right lane blocked. Delays growing behind it. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/j2xHL1ZFrc pic.twitter.com/UbBCxLD6ES
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) October 10, 2019

Comfortable temperatures, lots of sunshine and no chance of rain makes for a nice fall day, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said. It was 78 degrees at 5 p.m.

“This time of year, this is the good stuff,” he said. “If you're a runner, a walker, you like to get in that exercise before or after work, you’re good pretty much all day long.”

78° right now with lots of sunshine. I'm looking ahead to rain and temps in the 50s on Channel 2 now. pic.twitter.com/U829INxqva
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) October 10, 2019

North Georgia started the day slightly cooler than Wednesday morning with 60s in town and 50s to the north and west. Monahan expects numbers to dip into the 40s in the mountains before sunrise Friday.

Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Michael's landfall on the Florida Panhandle. The Category 5 storm leveled Mexico Beach and devastated crops on its path through South Georgia.

Another weekend cold front could bring in clouds, a 30% chance of showers and much cooler weather.

Cold front will move through north Georgia over the weekend... with some chilly area behind it. Tracking that & weekend rain chances starting at 4:30am on Channel 2! @wsbtv
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) October 10, 2019

“I am looking ahead to some shower chances coming in on Saturday,” Monahan said. “This front here, there’s a big snowstorm with this in the northwest part of the country. For us, its going to bring us some of the coolest air of the season and some weekend chances of rain.”

He said the rain will not be anything heavy but could impact outdoor plans.

PLANNING THE WEEKEND: Good morning! We'll have a lot of sunshine the next couple of days and warmer temperatures -- by the weekend, we've got a front and a chance of showers to talk about!

I'm taking you through the full forecast now through 7am on 2. pic.twitter.com/BAYfKNhwuh
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) October 10, 2019

Saturday is expected to reach 80 degrees, but Sunday’s afternoon high is a projected 74. Monahan expects to see widespread 50s and some 40s in the morning Sunday on the other side of the front.