The Northside has had a rough drive home Wednesday.
Many metro Atlanta interstates are moving slowly as wrecks continue to plague the evening commute, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
I-85 South is recovering after all lanes were briefly held before 17th Street to clear a downtown crash, according to the Traffic Center.
A stalled vehicle in the right shoulder of I-75 North is affecting Cobb County traffic, the Traffic Center reported. The vehicle stalled at South Marietta Parkway, and delays spanned near the Perimeter.
Recent wrecks on the Perimeter have also all cleared, but it’s a slow trek from the Eastside to Westside and vice versa north of I-20, according to the Traffic Center.
Atlanta surpassed 79 degrees just before noon Wednesday. For some perspective, that’s the average high for the first week of fall.
Atlanta is now way above that, hitting 91 degrees, according to Channel 2 Action News. It marks the city’s 82nd day in the 90s this year, which is just eight days away from the record set in 2011.
If the 90-degree weather holds on through next Friday, 2019 will set the new standard for long-lasting heat.
“I think we have a pretty good shot of doing it,” Monahan said.
The projected high Wednesday was 92 degrees in the city, with mid-90s on the Southside.
“Summer is holding real tight with one of those iron grips,” Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said. “The Southeast is just baking, and it’s going to stay that way over the next week and a half or so.”
Still, Monahan said those wishing for fall temperatures need only step outside before work or school. The morning hours should be pretty comfortable over the next few days, he said.
With plenty of 50s across North Georgia and 60s in town, Monahan said Wednesday was “actually a pretty nice morning.” Lower humidity will stick with North Georgia throughout the day.
“That means sunshine,” he said. “The air, while it’s hot, is not going to be especially humid. That’s going to change by Thursday.”
It also means diminished air quality. A Code Orange smog alert is in effect in metro Atlanta as the temperatures rise Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Sensitive groups should limit their time outside.
Humidity is expected to build as the week goes on, leading into a better chance of rain by Thursday and Friday. While a 20% chance is not high, it’s something as drought conditions across North Georgia deepen, Monahan said.
The forecast is not showing much change even beyond the next five days, he said, but there is some hope of a shift toward the end of next week. While strong high pressure will still be in control of North Georgia’s weather, cooler air will be building across Canada.
“I think that cooler air is going to have a shot to get here into the first weekend of October,” he said.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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