WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Atlanta hovers in mid-80s as wrecks affect Cobb

After a record-setting Tuesday, Atlanta has cooled off considerably and should stay cool for the remainder of the work week.

However, don’t mistake that for a chilly Wednesday or even an average Wednesday.

Atlanta’s heat index still topped 90 degrees earlier in the afternoon, and temperatures peaked at 88 degrees, which is one degree warmer than predicted, according to Channel 2 Action News.

It is improvement over Tuesday, which hit 98 degrees, breaking a record set in 1927. That was the fifth record Atlanta tied or broke within an eight-day span.

While Atlanta is beginning to cool off, traffic is beginning to heat up.

A crash on I-575 near Ga. 92 previously left only a right northbound lane open, and delays increased quickly, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. All lanes have reopened, and only the right shoulder remains blocked.

Also in Cobb, a crash has most lanes of Chastain Road blocked at I-75, according to the Traffic Center.

There are delays on the Southside as well after a right lane of I-75 South was blocked by a crash at I-675, according to the Traffic Center. Delays span back to Ga. 138.

Wednesday is a transition day for North Georgia as a cold front introduces some cooler air, Channel 2 Action News reported.

“Some big changes all thanks to this little cold front that passed through, now situated in middle as well as south Georgia,” Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said. “In its wake, a northeasterly wind will start to pick up.”

That means increasing cloud cover and cooler weather, she said. The change is noticeable Wednesday afternoon, but Walls said North Georgia will be feeling even cooler in the mornings ahead.

By Thursday morning, as the cooler and drier air starts to filter in, temperatures will be running in the 50s in the mountains and in the mid-60s in town, she said. By Friday, all of North Georgia will see morning lows in the 50s, according to the latest forecast.

Afternoon highs are expected to reach the low 80s Thursday and Friday, which is about average for this time of year.

“Finally, a break from the 90s in my forecast, and it starts today,” Walls said.

The clouds will fill in as the breeze picks up, she said. Some spots could see gusts up to 20 mph later this afternoon.

“I think we'll be enjoying a mostly cloudy sky as we head into the afternoon and evening commute,” Walls said. “It’s a very stable weather setup, but there could be a few spotty rain showers embedded. Those rain chances for today running around 20%.”

Wednesday looks to be the best chance for rain for the rest of the week. Drier conditions take hold through the weekend, Walls said.

Without rain to keep the cooler weather around, temperatures will creep back into the upper 80s by Sunday, according to the latest forecast.

» 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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