WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Congestion builds as Atlanta hits 85 degrees

At 85 degrees, you could easily mistake this for a cool summer day, but it’s instead a hot spring day, capping off April in Atlanta.

And the city might still warm up a degree or two before Tuesday is over, Channel 2 Action News reported.

What's been hot all day is traffic near Spaghetti Junction in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Roadwork is blocking part of the ramp from I-85 South to I-285. As a result, traffic is backed up to Indian Trail Road.

Earlier Tuesday, an overturned tractor-trailer on I-285 West just north of the I-85 interchange shut down the outer loop of the Perimeter and the ramp from I-85 South. The wreck was moved to the shoulder by 6:30 a.m., but heavy delays continued through Gwinnett County for several hours.

There are a few other slow spots as the evening commute begins, including a crash that’s blocking a right lane of the Perimeter’s inner loop at Old National Highway in Fulton County, the Traffic Center reported.

In Henry County, a left lane of I-75 North near Jonesboro Road is also blocked by a crash, according to the Traffic Center.

Tuesday could be the warmest day so far this year in North Georgia, according to Channel 2.

Temperatures are expected to top out at 87 degrees in metro Atlanta, which is well past the average high of 76. While North Georgia likely won’t break any records Tuesday (the record of 89 was set in 1942 and tied in 1987), Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said temps that high aren’t typically seen until the second week of June.

“It is not supposed to be this warm, but we'll take it underneath the sunshine,” he said.

With the start of hurricane season just a month away, Monahan said North Georgia will start to feel the tropical moisture arriving from the Gulf. There is nothing developing in the Atlantic with the potential to become an organized storm, but he said “there is some moisture down here toward the Bahamas that is going to play a role in our weather a little later on this week.”

Like the past few days, Tuesday is all about sunshine and a mainly clear sky. Monahan said weather should not have much impact on travel all day.

Tropical moisture could trigger some showers Wednesday, however.

“I’ve updated the rain chance just a little bit tomorrow,” Monahan said. “Most of us will stay dry, but a few more areas could see a shower or two.”

The chance of rain is 30 percent Wednesday. Thursday also has a slight chance of some showers, then Monahan said more widespread rain is moving in for Friday.

“This tropical moisture coming up through Florida (is) kind of getting together with a front across North Georgia on Friday,” he said. “I’m trending the rain forecast up. As we look ahead to Friday afternoon, we'll have some more widespread showers and storms and that rain chance will continue into your weekend.”

The rain chance for Friday is now 60 percent, according to Channel 2. Scattered showers and some storms are expected to continue Saturday and Sunday, but Monahan expects North Georgia will get some sunshine, too.