WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Flooding in North Georgia; waves of rain in Atlanta

ATLANTA FORECAST

Wednesday: High: 83

Wednesday night: Low: 70

Thursday: High: 86

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

Most of North Georgia remains under a flash flood watch as heavy downpours continue to drench the area.

Metro Atlanta is faring better in the rain and flooding department, but traffic has gotten congested in multiple areas around and within the Perimeter, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

The two I-75 South lanes in Cobb County that were closed earlier today have now been reopened, the Georgia Department of Transportation said. Lingering delays should remain.

Bands of rain have moved into the metro area, making roads slick in between patches of sunshine. That is expected to continue until late this evening.

“You're going to be dodging showers throughout the afternoon,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton said. “Not everywhere all day long, but there will be plenty to deal with.”

There's only a 40 percent chance of rain tonight, but it still might affect the Braves game against the New York Mets at SunTrust Park. Tuesday's game, which ended in spectacular fashion, was briefly delayed due to storms.

The chance of rain drops to 60 percent Thursday and Friday before dipping significantly to 30 percent Saturday.

It’s all because of the remnants of Alberto, which was downgraded to a depression Monday, and a continuation of muggy, tropical air being pumped into Georgia. What’s left of Alberto is now over Indiana, heading in the direction of Lake Michigan.

Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said a tropical depression has never passed over Lake Michigan, but he predicts Alberto will just miss the lake.

A flash flood watch is in effect through 8 p.m. Wednesday for Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall and multiple other counties, according to the National Weather Service.

MORE: The flash flood watch

As a result of flooding, GDOT has closed Ga. 75 north of Helen in Towns County. Drivers will have to find alternate routes between Robertstown and Unicoi Gap.

Monahan said new downpours are developing near Forsyth and Hall counties and could reach Helen by 7 p.m.

Lake Lanier is overfilled due to the rain water, so a heavier flow of water will run continuously out of Buford Dam for the next two weeks, according to a National Park Service news release. Boating and swimming are not advised during this time frame.

The rains have caused excess runoff into the Chattahoochee River, which tested for unhealthy levels of E. coli bacteria near Medlock Bridge. A health advisory has been issued.

Suwanee Creek in Gwinnett County is under a flood warning until 11:20 p.m. and is already beyond the flood stage of 8 feet.