WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Warm, lots of sunshine for Christmas Eve

With just one day to go till Christmas, it feels nothing like it outside.

Temperatures are headed for the upper 60s Tuesday under lots of sunshine, according to Channel 2 Action News. Even Tuesday morning, metro Atlanta started out mild in the upper 50s.

Morning lows in the 40s in the northeast Georgia mountains are about as cool as it gets, Channel 2 meteorologist Eboni Deon said.

“Typically we'd only top out in the low 50s this time of year,” she said. “Not quite at record levels, but we'll be very close as we get into the upper 60s this afternoon. The record for the day, though, is lower to mid-70s around Atlanta.”

The weather is looking much improved, however, now that an area of low pressure that brought inches of rain to North Georgia is on its way out. That system is making its way eastward, Deon said.

RELATED: Above-average temps dash dreams of a white Christmas

“As it pulls away, we're going to see that drier air start to filter in as high pressure takes control of our weather conditions,” she said. “And that means we are going to stay nice and quiet, we'll clear out and we're going to see a return of sunshine.”

Still, the nearly 2 inches of rainfall Atlanta has received since Sunday has some lingering effects. Some metro Atlanta roads remain closed due to flooding.

Chambee Dunwoody Road is still closed between New Peachtree Road and American Industrial Way, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Drivers are advised to use Chamblee Tucker Road as an alternate.

“As we get through the afternoon hours, we'll see more and more sunshine, less cloud cover,” Deon said. “It’s still going to be breezy at times. Those winds are coming down from the north and northwest anywhere from 10 to 15 mph, but definitely not expecting to see those gusty winds that we had around yesterday.”

The rise in temperatures can be attributed to all the sunshine as well as the influence of the Pacific jet, which Deon said is pumping in a warm air flow. Warmer weather will stick around through the big day, she said.

Christmas morning kicks off with a bright start under lots of sunshine, according to Channel 2. While morning temperatures will be lower than Tuesday in the mid-40s, Deon said that is still above average for this time of year.

By the afternoon, conditions will be ideal for trying out those new bicycles, skates and outdoor toys.

“Enjoy,” she said. “It looks like the perfect day to do just that. We are going to be in fine shape.”

Temperatures should get up to about 64 degrees on Christmas, according to Channel 2. The record was set at 75 degrees in 2015, and the following Christmas was nearly as warm at 74.

No records are in jeopardy this Christmas, but Deon said it will still feel plenty warm outside.

Through the end of the week, North Georgia can expect to enjoy some warmer, if unseasonable, weather. A chance of rain returns for the weekend, Deon said.

“Only isolated showers expected on Saturday, and then on Sunday rain becomes more likely,” she said. “That’s when we have the next front moving in and that’s going to bring us more widespread rainfall back into North Georgia.”

Volume remains light on all metro Atlanta interstates headed into Tuesday afternoon, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Those getting in last-minute shopping or heading to Christmas Eve festivities will not have to contend with any daytime construction projects, either. The Georgia Department of Transportation has suspended all lane closures on heavily traveled interstates and state routes near shopping areas until 10 p.m. Thursday.

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