Over the course of about three hours, metro Atlanta traffic hit a brick wall.
One interstate is being plagued by brush fires, another is the scene of a deadly shooting and several other issues are reducing the evening commute to a crawl, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
Firefighters are battling brush fires along I-985 North near Buford Drive, according to the Traffic Center. At times, all lanes are blocked, and delays stretch back to I-85.
At times it's a #REDALERT in Gwinnett Co: Fire Department Activity...I-985/nb before Buford Dr (Exit 4). At times all lanes blocked. Big delays. Use Buford Dr as an alternate. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/j2xHL1ZFrc pic.twitter.com/WIxvwcxPBk
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) December 4, 2019
Atlanta police have blocked all I-285 South lanes due to a deadly shooting investigation just past Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, according to the Traffic Center. Traffic on the interstate is being turned around.
A man who had been shot and killed was found in a vehicle on the interstate’s shoulder.
MORE: I-285 shut down in Fulton after man found shot, killed in vehicle
🚨RED ALERT 5:05p Fulton County: @Atlanta_Police have shut down I-285/sb (Outer Loop) south of Hollowell Pkwy (Exit 12) as they investigate a deadly shooting on the interstate. Details NOW 95.5 @wsbradio & @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/PfrSZpwMSY
— Mark McKay (@mckayWSB) December 4, 2019
This comes after another deadly incident in Gwinnett County. A wreck between a school bus and an SUV killed the SUV’s driver at Pucketts Mill Road and Hamilton Mill Road, which has been shut down by police. There were no injuries on the school bus.
The road reopened shortly before 5:30 p.m.
MORE: SUV driver killed in crash with school bus in Gwinnett
One person is dead after a crash in Gwinnett County. The driver of an SUV did not survive what looks to be a head-on collision with a school bus. This closes Hamilton Mill b/t Cascade Fall Dr and Puckett’s Mill Rd. Avoid area. pic.twitter.com/w8NM3ykLpS
— Jason Durden (@JasonDurden) December 4, 2019
In southwest Atlanta, Campbellton Road is shut down at Lee Street due to another deadly incident. Police said a stolen vehicle fled a traffic stop, hitting another vehicle and killing that vehicle’s two occupants.
It’s unclear when the intersection will reopen.
MORE: 2 dead after stolen vehicle fleeing police causes crash in SW Atlanta
You can use Metropolitan Pkwy as a way to get around this. Hwy 166 or even the Downtown Connector (75-85) and I-20 are also options. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/vLmA3j85Y8
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) December 4, 2019
In brighter news, Atlanta warmed into the 50s Wednesday afternoon but fell one degree shy of breaking the 60-degree mark.
“It is going to feel real nice around here,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.
We're starting in the low to mid 30s this morning... but highs near 60 later today!
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) December 4, 2019
North Georgia should stay dry all day. The next chance of rain is not expected until Friday.
There could be some areas of rain around for the Friday morning commute, Monahan said, and scattered showers are 40% likely through the evening.
“I don’t think there will be anything heavy, but there will be some rain around during the day on Friday,” he said.
We'll track some light showers moving across north Georgia late this week -- I'm updating the full timeline on that + the weekend forecast... ahead at 5am on Channel 2! @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/b4Fzz3xqHJ
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) December 4, 2019
Most of the rain will stick to Friday, but there is a slight 10% chance of some showers to start the weekend, according to to Channel 2.
“I expect a mostly cloudy day Saturday but a mainly dry one,” Monahan said. “That’s good news for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade.”
The parade steps off from Peachtree and 16th streets at 10:20 a.m., when temperatures are expected to be in the 40s. The route will travel on Peachtree and end at 5th Street.
It's happening this Saturday, December 7th, the Annual @childrensatl Christmas Parade will take place at 10:30 am The parade will start on Peachtree St. at 16th St. and wrap up on Peachtree St. at 5th St. Please plan ahead @wsbtv @wsbradio https://t.co/MhPvicYKPN #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/gpndlJbDtr
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) December 3, 2019
The weather will continue cooperating for the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Monahan expects a mostly cloudy sky and temperatures in the 50s for prime tailgating hours ahead of the 4 p.m. kickoff.
» 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.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.