ATLANTA FORECAST
Tuesday: High: 91
Tuesday night: Low: 74
Wednesday: High: 90
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
UPDATE [11:13 p.m.]: The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings until further notice for Fulton and Gwinnett counties.
ORIGINAL STORY: The National Weather Service briefly issued a few severe thunderstorm warnings for a few far northwest Georgia counties. Those storms could make their way to metro Atlanta later this afternoon, Channel 2 Action News reported.
If severe weather hits during the evening commute, it'll only contribute to the existing traffic around the metro area currently. Most of the Northern Perimeter and Downtown Connector are already seeing backup, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
Officials are still looking for potential additional threats after a veteran set himself on fire outside the Capitol, and Georgia State Patrol confirmed Washington Street between Trinity Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive remains closed. No time was given for when it’ll reopen, and no other roads were mentioned.
MORE: Veteran sets himself on fire outside state Capitol, GSP says
A fatal crash on I-85 North before Indian Trail Road previously had all lanes closed, leaving massive delays for miles, the Traffic Center reported. Gwinnett police said all lanes opened a little after 3 p.m., but delays still linger.
RELATED: Cops: 1 dead, 3 injured in crash on I-85; lanes re-opening in Gwinnett
It’s currently 90 degrees in Atlanta, but the heat index is up to 96, Channel 2 Action News reported.
The National Storm Prediction Center has much of North Georgia at risk of isolated strong to severe storms. There is a 40 percent chance those storms will develop later Tuesday, according to Channel 2.
“Watch out for that heavy rain, a lot of lightning, possibly some hail and slow-moving (storms), which also could produce some damaging winds,” Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said. “Those winds could take down some trees again.”
These storms could affect the start of tonight’s 7:35 p.m. Braves game against the Cincinnati Reds at SunTrust Park, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said.
Between today and Wednesday, Atlanta could get up to an inch of rain.
It’s going to get hot in metro Atlanta before the wet weather hits, according to the latest forecast from Channel 2. The high Tuesday should be in the low 90s, but Minton said it will feel more like 99.
RELATED: Dangerous heat-related illnesses: What you need to know to stay safe
MORE: 6 ways to combat the dangerous effects of heat stroke
ALSO: Stay cool at Atlanta's 9 most shaded playgrounds
The pattern of heat and afternoon storms should continue the rest of the week, according to Channel 2. Forecasts for the next three days call for highs in the 90s, above the average high of 88 for this time in June.
Expect the same all the way through Independence Day, Channel 2 reported.
Rain chances hover in the 30 to 40 percent range all week and into the weekend.
“Each day we have a chance of showers and storms,” Minton said. “There’s about a 30 percent chance over the weekend, so some dry times, too, especially early on.”
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
