Despite a chance of rain in the forecast Tuesday, there will be some opportunities to get outdoors.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said showers and storms will be scattered and will mostly be confined to the second half of the day.
“Yes, there are going to be some showers around this afternoon, but we're going to find you some dry times, too,” he said.
The pattern of scattered rain will continue through most of the work week, according to Channel 2. While conditions aren’t ideal for spending time outdoors, Monahan said they aren’t poor, either. He is rating each day at a three out of five for the ability to enjoy some fresh air.
To allergy sufferers headed outside: beware. The pollen count is in the extremely high range again Tuesday with 4,354 particles per cubic meter of air. Trees like mulberry, oak, pine, sycamore and hickory are the top contributors, according to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma, the organization that tracks the daily pollen count.
Grass and weed pollen are in the medium range, and mold activity is low Tuesday.
Temperatures started the day mild in the 60s and are headed for the upper 70s and low 80s this afternoon, according to Channel 2. By the early afternoon, metro Atlanta should reach its projected high of 80 degrees as the rain chances begin their climb to 40%.
Monahan said the city should still be fairly dry under a mix of clouds and sunshine through 2 p.m.
“By mid- to late afternoon, we'll start to see the chance for a few showers and storms,” he said. “We saw a couple yesterday, and we'll see a few more today.”
A few areas of rain will stick around through late Tuesday night, he said. It is likely to stay warm with temperatures near 70 degrees through 11 p.m.
Along with the rain, above-average temperatures will remain in the forecast through Thursday, according to Channel 2. Atlanta is typically in the low 70s this time of year.
Monahan said Wednesday will have a better chance of a strong to severe thunderstorm.
“For most of North Georgia, it’s going to be a Level 1 severe weather risk, that means an isolated strong storm,” he said. “We could have some gusty wind, maybe a little bit of hail in some of the storms.”
The main severe weather risk will stay to the northwest of the region, into Tennessee, Alabama and far northwest Georgia, he said.
Both the rain chances and the temperatures are coming down by Friday, which is forecast to see highs in the lower 60s.
“We’ll have much cooler air by the weekend, and the chance for strong storms by the second half of the weekend,” Monahan said.
Most metro Atlanta interstates are still delay-free at midday, with the exception of I-20 in Carroll County, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
A crash is at times blocking all eastbound lanes at Ga. 113, the Traffic Center reported at 11 a.m. Drivers can use U.S. 78 as an alternate until the heavy delays clear.
With fewer drivers hitting the roads amid the coronavirus crisis, conditions are expected to remain light metrowide through the afternoon rush.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
» 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.
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