Zoo Atlanta closes early on the hottest day so far this summer

The heat is on Friday as temperatures are again expected to reach the 90s in Atlanta on what could be the hottest day so far this summer.

Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Ashley Kramlich is calling for a high of 96 degrees in the city, which would be the highest temperatures in about a year. Typically, high temperatures are in the upper 80s this time of year.

It’s so hot Friday that Zoo Atlanta announced it would be closing three hours early. Gates closed at 2 p.m., and the grounds closed at 3:30 p.m.

“And it’s only going up from here,” Kramlich said of the heat forecast headed into July Fourth. “On top of that, humidity is increasing, that’s going to lead to dangerous heat index levels throughout the weekend, and we have a chance for a few showers and thunderstorms in the forecast.”

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Friday morning got off to a warm start with temperatures in the mid-70s at daybreak under hazy skies. Smoke from Canadian wildfires should start to clear out later this afternoon, when rain chances increase in North Georgia, Kramlich said.

It's another very hazy morning thanks to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires. We should start to see some improvements to our skies later today but it comes with a chance for storms. I am timing them out now on @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/BXbectStLJ
— Ashley Kramlich (@AshleyKramlich) June 30, 2023

Rain is 40% likely, and any showers or thunderstorms that develop should help to cool things off significantly, she said. They also have the potential to turn severe. The risk of severe weather is considered a Level 2 of 5 for the far northern parts of the state, while the risk is lower for the rest of North Georgia and all of metro Atlanta.

Heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, hail and frequent lightning are all possibilities, according to Kramlich. The storms were over Kentucky on Friday morning and are expected to make their way into Georgia before lunchtime, she said.

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By midday, Kramlich said metro Atlanta could start to get wet, with the majority of the storm activity concentrated over the western suburbs.

A Code Orange air quality alert has been issued again Friday. Under those conditions, the outdoor air quality is likely to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children and people with heart or lung disease. Those groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during the late afternoon or early evening when ozone concentrations are highest, according to the National Weather Service.

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A Code Orange smog alert means air quality conditions are unhealthy for sensitive groups.

While there are no heat alerts Friday, Kramlich said there is still the potential for heat-related illness with temperatures and humidity at high levels. More moisture in the air means sweat can’t evaporate as quickly, and it is more difficult for the body to cool down.

“You really want to be careful over the next several days, and maybe limit your time outdoors,” Kramlich said.

Saturday could be even hotter with a projected high of 97 degrees and heat index values in the triple digits. More storms are in the forecast through the holiday weekend, with a 60% chance of a storm Tuesday on the Fourth of July, according to Channel 2.