Rain is falling across metro Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, setting the tone for a soggy second half of the weekend.
The wet weather is the result of Tropical Storm Claudette, which is making its way through Mississippi and Alabama, Channel 2 Action News Brian Monahan said.
Tornadoes are possible overnight, and a flash flood watch is in effect as parts of metro Atlanta brace for several inches of rain. The wet weather is also impacting this afternoon’s Juneteenth celebrations. Decatur city officials have canceled today’s debut Juneteenth event due to the threat of inclement weather.
Saturday evening’s Atlanta Braves game has also been rescheduled, the team announced just before 2:30 p.m. Weather permitting, the Braves will play two seven-inning games against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. The first game is set for 2:10 p.m. and the second is slated to start at 7:08 p.m.
The rain is expected to continue on Sunday, however, and could keep any Father’s Day festivities indoors for much of the day, according to the latest forecast.
It’s not an ideal way to kick off the official start of summer, Monahan said.
“There’s still several hours before we start to see some heavy rain in North Georgia, so as you make your Saturday plans, earlier will be better and later is going to be wetter,” he said.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The afternoon high is expected to reach 81 degrees in metro Atlanta, but there is a 60% chance of showers. The chance of storm jumps to 90% on Sunday as widespread rain moves through the area.
No major delays were reported on metro Atlanta’s interstates Saturday morning, but the Georgia Department of Transportation has several construction projects underway that could lead to backups this weekend, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
Drivers should expect overnight delays in Midtown this weekend as crews shut down the ramp from I-75 South to I-85 North , GDOT said. Starting at 9 p.m., those looking to get on I-85 North from the Downtown Connector will be detoured onto 14th and West Peachtree Streets.
Cobb County drivers may also see overnight delays in both directions of I-75 as crews repair bridges between Barrett Parkway and Chastain Road.
» 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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