WEEKEND WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Heat sets record on Mother’s Day
ATLANTA FORECAST
Today: Mostly sunny. High: 92
Tonight: Mostly clear. Low: 67
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy. High: 90
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
It took 62 years, but the temperature in Atlanta finally rose above 90 degrees on May 13.
The temp hit 91, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Katie Walls said.
It's official. We have RECORD HIGHS in Atlanta and Athens! Athens hit 94°, breaking the former record of 92° (2000). ATL hit 91°, breaking the prior record of 90° set in 1956. I'm tracking a cool down and a wet weather pattern heading our way -- at 6! #gawx
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsWSB) May 13, 2018
The previous record high was set in 1956.
To make things tougher, a Code Orange air quality alert is out for Sunday, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said. This means the air is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Next week should see plenty of showers and thunderstorms.
The chance will grow to 10 percent Monday, 40 percent Tuesday and 60 percent Wednesday. This is due to an area of tropical low pressure making its way north through Georgia.
AIR QUALITY ALERT: Good morning! There's another code orange air quality alert today across metro Atlanta -- the very young, the elderly, and those with breathing issues should avoid prolonged time outside this afternoon and early this evening. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/PZFykwrhQE
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) May 13, 2018
Mother's Day should bring extra traffic to the metro Atlanta area, so hopefully your car has air conditioning. Many others will also be on the roads heading to the Shaky Beats Music Festival and the Sweet Auburn Festival.
Construction efforts over the weekend won’t help matters.
Expect road paving delays on I-85 in Gwinnett County during the weekend overnight hours between Hamilton Mill Road and Ga. 317, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Work in Cobb County is projected for I-75 in both directions from Cumberland Boulevard to Canton Road, by Barrett Parkway and around Wade Green Road, blocking multiple lanes overnight.
Check out our Weekend Construction Schedule. Know before you go! https://t.co/g6HBVY2NWN @wsbTraffic @ajcwsbtraffic @11aliveTraffic @cbs46traffic @Fox5atlanta @wsbtv @11alivenews @fox5atlanta @ajc
— Georgia DOT ATL (@GDOTATL) May 10, 2018
Road work is also planned on Ga. 400 in both directions north of I-285 overnight.
GDOT workers will also close one westbound and one eastbound lane on I-285 in DeKalb County between Panthersville and Bouldercrest roads this weekend to detonate granite to construct overhead signs. The closures run through 2 p.m. Sunday.
About the Authors
Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives.
