WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Emergency roadwork stifles I-285 in Clayton County
ATLANTA FORECAST
Wednesday: High: 73
Wednesday night: Low: 59
Thursday: High: 79
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
UPDATE [8:33 p.m.]: Emergency roadwork has shut down all westbound lanes of I-285 at Riverdale Road in Clayton County, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. The roadwork is to repair a sinkhole near Old National Highway
#BREAKING 🚨RED ALERT🚨 Clayton Co: I-285/wb(inner loop) at Riverdale Rd(Exit 60); All lanes blocked due to emergency roadwork at I-285/wb(inner loop) at Old National Hwy(Exit 62). Use I-75 or I-85 as alternates. Updates on @wsbradio & @WSBTraffic Alerts App! @wsbtv #ATLTraffic pic.twitter.com/EtgUXKvq7M
— Mike Shields WSB (@MikeShieldsWSB) February 7, 2019
Delays have already mounted back to I-75, and it’s recommended to take I-75 or I-85 as alternates.
ORIGINAL STORY: After an "explosive" morning on Peachtree Street, Midtown traffic has recovered Wednesday night.
However, the traffic problems have moved to the Northside for the evening commute, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
In Gwinnett County, only the right lane of I-85 North near Ga. 211 is moving after a wreck, according to the Traffic Center.
#TRAVELADVISORY North Gwinnett: Crash...I-85/nb at Hwy 211 (Exit 126). Only the right lane open. Here you can see the tough delays getting up there. #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/HiWVyIffPR
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) February 6, 2019
In Rockdale County, a wreck is blocking the left lane of I-20 East near Sigman Road, slowing down traffic into DeKalb County, according to the Traffic Center.
#TRAVELADVISORY ⚠️ I-20/eb just e of Sigman (Exit 78), left lane wreck. Slows Evans Mill. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/wuaZctebme pic.twitter.com/bMQBUlbozY
— Fireball Turnbull (@DougTurnbull) February 6, 2019
All but one lane of Peachtree Street between Linden Avenue and Renaissance Parkway has reopened after a blown transformer caused a series of explosions in front of Emory University Hospital Midtown, shutting down the road in both directions all morning, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported.
RELATED: 10 'very large explosions' send smoke into the air, shut down major Midtown streets
Good news on WSB Jam Cam: Only one lane blocked on P'tree s of North Ave. now. No big delays from this morning's manhole cover-removing, underground explosions. Weirdest #ATLtraffic story of the year to date. https://t.co/2hvjWkI3bV pic.twitter.com/nTrAftJ5mC
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) February 6, 2019
Several downtown streets also remain closed Wednesday after the Super Bowl.
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between Northside Drive and Centennial Olympic Park Drive, and Andrew Young International Boulevard between Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive are closed until Thursday. Mitchell Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Elliot Street, and Mangum Street between Markham and Foundry streets will also be closed until Thursday.
Baker Street between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Luckie Street is closed until Friday.
How warm does it actually feel? Today's near-record high will feel more like April 16th. Tomorrow's RECORD high near-80° will feel more like May 10th! pic.twitter.com/lZWrTJeDtW
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) February 6, 2019
Temperatures peaked in the low 70s Wednesday. That’s warm, but not as warm as what’s expected Thursday, Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said.
It looks pretty certain that Atlanta on Thursday will smash the record high temperature of 72 set in 1937. Monahan said models suggest much of North Georgia will near the 80s. The projected high is 79 in Atlanta.
“That is going to be our warmest day by far in this springlike stretch,” he said.
Feeling like spring this morning across north Georgia -- with some showers out there.
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) February 6, 2019
An umbrella & light jacket for the bus stops this morning! @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/G27nB13595
The warmer temps are causing pollen counts to rise, according to Channel 2. On Monday, the count was zero, and on Wednesday it was recorded at 260, which is considered high.
“Last year we did not get to the high level until Feb. 13,” Minton said on Twitter. “Pollen could get much higher (in the) next two days as temperatures reach (the) mid- to upper 70s. Trees will be the primary pollen.”
MORE: Springlike temps causing pollen counts, allergy symptoms to increase early
POLLEN COUNT: The pollen has risen to the high level in the past 24 hours. Last year we did not get to the high level until February 13th. Pollen could get much higher next 2 days as temperatures reach mid to upper 70s. Trees will be the primary pollen. pic.twitter.com/Zi613RNV91
— Karen Minton (@KarenMintonWSB) February 6, 2019
High pressure will settle in for Thursday ahead of a cold front, making for a dry, hot day.
“Just a little more rain coming into the picture by Thursday night and Friday,” he said. “That’s going to be our big weather change that’s going to end this spring preview and bring us right back to winter temperatures by the time we head through the weekend.”
Tracking a cold front headed our way by Thursday night/early Friday... before that -- record highs!
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) February 6, 2019
See you at noon on Channel 2. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/FZC8Io7xei
Friday also carries a 40 percent chance of showers with a forecast high of 62 degrees, according to Channel 2. By Sunday, North Georgia is not expected to get out of the 40s.

» 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.


