WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Showers form ‘right on schedule’ for slick evening commute

ATLANTA FORECAST

Tuesday: High: 61

Tuesday night: Low: 41

Wednesday: High: 63

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

Some scattered showers have begun to form over the heart of Atlanta, Channel 2 Action News reported. Unfortunately for drivers, the rain is coming “right on schedule” to dampen the road for the evening commute, Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

Increased volume is mostly to blame for slow spots on the Northern Perimeter and Downtown Connector, but surface streets in southwest Atlanta have a gas main break to thank for slow roads.

The break blocks Cascade Avenue between Donnelly Avenue and Beecher Street, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

On the bright side — unlike the sky over Atlanta — construction on Peachtree Street and Campbellton Road has wrapped up to prevent more headaches for drivers, the Traffic Center reported.

While more rain is in the forecast Tuesday afternoon, metro Atlanta will not see a second day of severe weather, according to Channel 2.

A wave of thunderstorms moved through North Georgia on Monday afternoon and evening, bringing pea-sized hail to parts of north and west metro Atlanta. Tuesday’s weather should be much less active, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

“We were rocking and rolling yesterday afternoon and evening,” he said. “It’s much quieter ... a little cooler, too.”

Atlanta started the day in the low 50s, about three to seven degrees lower than the day before. Temperatures have not risen much, but they weren’t expected to. Atlanta is hovering at the projected high of 61 degrees at 5 p.m.

A layer of clouds hangs low over downtown Atlanta and across Cobb County on Tuesday morning. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

Monday’s rain helped to wash some of the pollen out of the air. The count Monday was the highest yet of the season at 1,675, which the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma organization considers extremely high. Tuesday’s count was 139 particles per cubic meter of air, which is on the lower end of the range of high pollen counts.

Oak, pine, sycamore, hackberry and sweet gum trees are the primary pollens.

“You may have seen rivers of yellow on your street after all the rain!” Monahan said on Twitter. “The count remains high, but nowhere near (Monday’s) nearly 1700!”

A small weather disturbance is working its way through North Georgia on Tuesday afternoon, bringing the isolated showers. There could be a rumble of thunder or two in LaGrange, Monahan said, but nothing severe. The rain is expected to dissipate around sunset, he said.

The rain chance is only about 30 percent Tuesday, according to Channel 2.

“And nothing Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and even into the start of your weekend,” Monahan said of the rain chances. “It’s going to be dry, it’s going to get warm in the mid-70s, (with the) next chance of showers and storms on Sunday.”