LIVE WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Severe thunderstorm warnings expire; wrecks slow I-75

[6:15 p.m.]: No severe thunderstorm warnings remain active in Georgia, according to the National Weather Service. A few showers remain in metro Atlanta, but most of the rain is light, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Traffic is slow on I-75, with wrecks in both Cobb and Henry counties, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported.

Two left lanes of I-75 North are blocked at Cumberland Boulevard in Cobb, while two right lanes are blocked near Jonesboro Road in Henry, according to the Traffic Center.

[6 p.m.]: The severe thunderstorm warning for Clarke, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties have expired. An additional severe thunderstorm warning was added for Elbert County until 6:15 p.m.

[5:30 p.m.]: The severe thunderstorm warning for Clarke, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties have been extended until 6 p.m. Barrow, Oconee and Walton are no longer under a severe thunderstorm warning.

[5 p.m.]: The severe thunderstorm warning for Gwinnett County has expired.

[4:49 p.m.]: The severe thunderstorm warning for Barrow and Walton counties have been extended until 5:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties are also under a severe thunderstorm warning until the same time.

[4:47 p.m.]: Gwinnett County remains under a severe thunderstorm warning until 5 p.m., but affects from the storm are already being reported. Traffic lights at Holcomb Bridge Road at Spalding Drive are out following the storms, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. There are big delays in both directions.

UPDATE [4:22 p.m.]: A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Barrow, Gwinnett and Walton counties until 5 p.m. by the National Weather Service.

ORIGINAL STORY: Metro Atlanta barely saw a raindrop the last two days, but Wednesday has changed that.

Several storms and showers have popped up on the Northside, and there are reports of heavy rain in west Georgia and the far northeast corner of the state, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The rain hasn't stopped construction crews, which is why a right lane of the Perimeter's outer loop is blocked at Church Street in DeKalb County, according to WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

I-285 in Cobb County is recovering after a crash blocked two northbound lanes at Paces Ferry Road, but the wreck has been moved to the right shoulder, the Traffic Center reported.

The rain is making its mark in Cobb, however, with heavy rain slowing both directions of I-75, the Traffic Center reported.

Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said the Northside should catch most of the rain Wednesday.

“Southside, it’s going to be fairly dry for you,” he said. “I know, what else is new? Last few times we've gotten all the rain, you've kind of missed out on the Southside. You will mostly miss out today, and then better chances tomorrow.”

The chance of rain is identical at 40% each day through the end of the work week, he said, but where the rain will fall is not. Storms have been more widespread in metro Atlanta on Thursday, according to Channel 2.

“The mountains are going to be my focus this afternoon in the forecast, because the showers and storms are going to be the most widespread for you, so plan on that rain,” Monahan said. “Scattered storms, heavy rain and lightning are going to be our main threats through the afternoon.”

There could still be some rain around for the evening commute, but the storms are expected to dissipate as the day goes on.

Temperatures have hit 93 degrees in the city, which is a degree warmer than predicted. So far this year, the city has seen 31 days with 90-degree temps.

It’s even hotter south, where areas south of I-20 could top out in the mid- to upper 90s.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Monahan said Sunday should be the drier day with a chance of isolated storms. Highs are hovering in the low 90s each day, he said.

» 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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