WEATHER-TRAFFIC UPDATE: Cobb congestion as Braves, Dodgers play Game 4

ATLANTA FORECAST

Monday: High: 85

Monday night: Low: 71

Tuesday: High: 80

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

It remains mostly dry in Atlanta as Game 4 of the National League Division Series begins, but a few “nuisance” showers might pop up during the game and the evening commute, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

There’s also increased traffic near the Cobb Cloverleaf after fans drove to SunTrust Park, hoping the Braves can even the best-of-5 playoff series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. First pitch began just after 4:30 p.m.

The chance of rain remains at 30 percent, so a brief shower could emerge during the game, but any rain should pass quickly, Nitz said. The temperature is expected to remain in the mid- to low-80s during the game.

For now, the weather is making for an easy commute during a light afternoon drive. There are just a few construction projects slowing drivers down, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

In Buckhead, roadwork on Peachtree Road at Pharr Road is blocking one right lane. Expect some delays, the Traffic Center reported.

Atlanta is expected to hit a high of 85 degrees by 5 p.m. North Georgia is leaving 90-degree temperatures behind and is just days away from real fall weather.

Highs in the mid-70s are expected this weekend, according to Channel 2 Action News.

But first, the region has a hurricane and a few days of rain to get through.

Hurricane Michael, now a Category 1 storm, is increasing in intensity as it churns toward the Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center expects it to be a major hurricane as it approaches landfall along the Florida panhandle Wednesday.

The storm should make its way through South Georgia on Wednesday night and into Thursday, bringing the heaviest rain to those south and east of Atlanta and showers across the state, Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said.

The projected path takes Michael across Georgia and into the Carolinas, but Minton said it is still too far out to say for certain what path the storm will take.

The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane and tropical storm watches for parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida, according to Channel 2. Only the southwest corner of the state is under the advisories.

It looks likely that Michael will bring wet weather and cooler temperatures to Atlanta.

“Temperatures are going to be coming down,” Minton said. “Rain chances are coming up, which is good. We can use it. We've got a little drought back in here, and hopefully Michael will be able to give us some much-needed rain to help out with those drought-stricken areas.”

High temps should come down Tuesday and stay in the low 80s Wednesday and Thursday, when Georgia is expected to get the impacts of Michael. Rain chances increase from 80 percent Wednesday to 90 percent Thursday.

As for Monday and Tuesday, Minton said a more “summerlike” weather pattern is expected with lots of humidity and a 30 percent chance of scattered showers and some storms.

“Not everywhere,” she said. “We will have some breaks out there.”

Looking ahead to the end of the week, North Georgia should dry out Friday before fall finally makes its appearance.

“Your weekend looks fantastic,” Minton said. “We're really going to feel like fall Saturday and Sunday with highs in the mid-70s.”