WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: It’s warm, sunny for evening commute

ATLANTA FORECAST

Tuesday: High: 62

Tuesday night: Low: 43

Wednesday: High: 72

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

It’s 62 degrees and sunny for Tuesday’s evening commute, but several wrecks are delaying traffic on metro Atlanta’s major interstates.

On the Downtown Connector, a crash just south of I-20 is blocking the HOV lane, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

And in DeKalb County, a crash on the outer loop near Flat Shoals Road is blocking the far right lane.

Those driving through Douglas County on I-20 West can expect delays near Thornton Road as a crash blocks the right lane, according to the Traffic Center.

In Cobb County, the westbound lane of Whitlock Avenue is closed between New Haven Drive and Polk Street for emergency repairs, authorities said. The closure is expected to last until at least 7 p.m.

MARTA riders may also see some delays after smoke was reported on the southbound track at Midtown. Trains at the Midtown and North Avenue stations are only boarding on the northbound platforms.

CSX said a train has broken down on the tracks in downtown Adairsville and could take three or four hours to repair. City streets blocked at railroad crossings include George Street, King Street, Gilmer Street, Chestnut Street and Park Street.

The good news is at least the weather is cooperating.  After an area of low pressure along the Gulf Coast sent scattered showers across North Georgia on Tuesday morning, it’s sunny and dry at 5:30 p.m.

Cooler temperatures kept pollen levels down another day. According to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma, Tuesday’s pollen count was 886, down from Monday’s 1,050.

As the coastal low continues to push away from North Georgia, the clouds are breaking up. Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said there will be a mix of sun and clouds for the afternoon hours.

“It’s going to turn breezy, it’s going to be a dry afternoon, and it’s going to be a pretty one, too,” he said. “We're in the mostly sunny range for you (Tuesday) with temperatures in the low 60s across North Georgia.”

Children from Pleasant Hill Academy in Gwinnett County join hands during their spring break outing on the trail to the top of Stone Mountain on Tuesday.

Atlanta has warmed into the low 60s, which is almost 10 degrees cooler than the average for this time of year.  With clear skies Tuesday night, temps Wednesday morning are expected to start in the 30s and 40s before rebounding to the low 70s in the afternoon, according to Channel 2.

“Then we get a big warming trend starting for the end of the week and into the weekend,” Monahan said. “We could have highs near 80 by Saturday and Sunday.”

There will be a 70 percent chance for more widespread rain Friday, and some showers and storms are expected for the weekend, according to the latest forecast.