WEDNESDAY’S WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Arctic front to plunge temps, bring chance of snow

Wednesday will get much colder once an arctic front sweeps through North Georgia, according to Channel 2 Action News.

It felt more like March on Tuesday with afternoon highs near 70 degrees. Temperatures will only make it to the mid-50s Wednesday before crashing, which Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said is about 10 to 15 degrees below average for this time of year.

“One good thing about the colder air: It really shuts down the rain chances,” he said. “We're not going to see much rain across North Georgia between now and early next week.”

Metro Atlanta is expected to reach a high of 56 degrees around lunchtime before the cold front hits and temperatures start to fall. Monahan said you will really notice a difference this afternoon.

The front will bring in the colder air, but it also brings in some clouds and a 40% chance for some light showers. Nothing should be too heavy Wednesday, Monahan said.

In the mountains, he said there is a chance for some light snow showers late Wednesday around 10 p.m.

“It’s not going to affect everybody but there will be ... a chance for a dusting of snow through parts of the North Georgia mountains through early tomorrow morning,” he said. “We'll have that wind coming in out of the northwest, blowing in the cold air and blowing in some of those snowflakes.”

The snow should not amount to more than a dusting on some of the higher ridge tops and grassy surfaces, according to Channel 2.

Thursday will be even colder on the other side of the front. Despite afternoon highs in the mid-40s, Monahan said it will be pretty nice Thursday with lots of sunshine and dry conditions.

“Another system is going to bring a little better chance for maybe a few wet snow showers into metro Atlanta,” he said. “That will be Friday night into early Saturday.”

Pavement is dry for the morning drive for the first time this week, and metro Atlanta traffic is responding favorably. There are no major delays on the interstate system, WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported at 6 a.m.

“You’ve earned a dry morning commute, and you’ve got one across North Georgia,” Monahan said.

There is still “great news downtown,” according to traffic reporter Mark Arum. There are no problems on the Downtown Connector going north or south.

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