WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Several interstates struggle as evening commute ramps up

On a warm Tuesday afternoon, Atlanta’s interstates are littered with problems.

The Southside is fairly clean, except for a crash on the Perimeter's outer loop, which blocked two left lanes past Riverdale Road, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. The lanes have since reopened, but heavy delays linger.

In Johns Creek, roadwork is blocking a right lane of Medlock Bridge Road at Abbott’s Bridge Road, causing heavy backups on the north Fulton County surface street, the Traffic Center reported.

In DeKalb County, a left lane of the Perimeter’s outer loop is blocked near Ga. 78 by a crash, according to the Traffic Center.

Also in DeKalb, parts of Henderson Mill Road remain closed while crews work to repair a broken water main, according to county officials. The leak on the 48-inch water main was discovered about 5:45 a.m. on Henderson Mill Road between Glenrose Drive and Midvale Road, which is near Tucker and the Northlake area.

TRAFFIC ALERT: DeKalb water main leak could cause brown water, closures

Police activity on the Downtown Connector earlier blocked four southbound lanes before 10th Street, according to the Traffic Center. The lanes have since reopened.

Atlanta police said officers conducted a traffic stop and have four people in custody.

MORE: 4 in custody after traffic stop on busy Downtown Connector

Most, but not all, of North Georgia is benefiting from dry weather and sunshine Tuesday. While there’s not a shower in sight, rain chances are forecast to increase through the day. Still, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said isolated showers are only 20 percent likely for areas to the north and east of metro Atlanta.

“I think most of us are going to stay dry,” he said. “But east of Atlanta, you head up toward Gainesville along I-85, up into Banks County and Jackson County, that’s where you're going to have a little chance of some rain this afternoon, including the North Georgia mountains.”

Even with the mainly dry conditions Monday, pollen levels are down slightly in Atlanta. The count for Tuesday was 102 particles per cubic meter of air, which is still considered high. Tree pollen and grass pollen levels are in the high range, according to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma, the organization that tracks the daily pollen count.

Weed pollen is still in the low range.

After starting out nearly 10 degrees warmer than Monday in metro Atlanta, the city has hit 83 degrees on its way to a projected high of 85, according to Channel 2.

Monahan said rain chances will stay around 20 percent for most of the week, with areas to the east of Atlanta seeing the best chance of rain accumulation between now and Wednesday.

“That rain pattern is going to shift later this week,” he said. “By Friday, (we’re) starting to see more rain move into North Georgia.”

A system of storms over the middle part of the country is sending rain toward the East Coast, but Monahan said the heaviest downpours will stay to the west of the state for the next few days. Late Thursday, humidity will build and a cold front will move in to bring more showers, he said.

“That’s going to stick around for the weekend with rain and storms,” he said. “Wet weather for the end of the week, and getting even wetter for the weekend.”

Sunday is forecast to be the wettest day of the weekend with showers and storms 60 percent likely, according to Channel 2.

After several days of above-average temperatures, Monahan said he sees some cooler air coming our way headed into next week.

“Last year, the first time we hit 90 degrees was on May 12,” he said on Twitter. “I think we may be waiting longer this year!”

» 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. 

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