Rain returns to Atlanta’s forecast Friday, but any showers that develop should be spotty, according to Channel 2 Action News.
Saturday has a much better chance of widespread rain, from 30% Friday to 90% at the start of the weekend. While Friday will still be a pretty nice day to get outside, Channel 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said Saturday will be a day for indoor activities.
“Just a stray shower possible, and a warm afternoon,” Monahan said of Friday’s forecast. “We’re up to about 70 for highs. It stays warm tomorrow; it does not stay mainly dry. We’ve got wet weather to deal with on Saturday.”
Atlanta typically tops out in the upper 50s this time of year. Temperatures are already there before sunrise, and a mix of clouds and sun in the forecast will only push them further. A projected high of 70 will fall five degrees short of the record, set on this date in 1933.
It will be difficult to see the sun through the thick cloud cover Friday morning. A dense fog advisory is in place for metro Atlanta and areas to the south through 10 a.m. Visibility could drop to a quarter-mile or less, according to the National Weather Service.
“Lower the speeds, increase following distance, and low beams please until the sun comes up this morning at about 7:30 a.m.,” Monahan said. “Once we get past about 9, 10 a.m. we should start to see a good bit of improvement across North Georgia.”
At least roads are dry in metro Atlanta for the Friday morning drive. Monahan said rain will begin to pick up later Friday and will stick around through Sunday morning. A half-inch to an inch of rainfall is possible, he said.
“A little after sunrise tomorrow we are going to have some periods of rain around,” he said. “Not everybody is seeing it, but that chance of rain is going to be with us off and on through the day. Some of that rain will be heavy.”
He expects downpours to move through Atlanta around 1 p.m. Saturday. A rumble of thunder is possible, but Monahan said there is no severe weather in the forecast. Despite the rain, temperatures will remain elevated with a projected high of 69 degrees, according to Channel 2.
Monahan said this has been one of the warmest Decembers on record. By next week, more seasonal weather will return to the forecast just in time for the start of winter. The season officially begins with the winter solstice at 10:58 a.m. Tuesday.
“Falling temperatures, a clearing sky late on Sunday, and it will be chilly early next week,” Monahan said.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The fog may be keeping interstate speeds at bay, but there are no early delays at the start of the Friday morning drive, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
“The trip times are in great shape,” traffic reporter Mike Shields said at 6:30 a.m. “That’s good news.”
There are no major crashes or longstanding road closures as the morning commute gets underway.
» 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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