ATLANTA FORECAST
Monday: High: 80
Monday night: Low: 70
Tuesday: High: 80
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
Memorial Day arrived in metro Atlanta as expected, with Subtropical Storm Alberto bringing inches of rain and forecasts of possible high winds.
"The rain we have now is already here because of Alberto," Channel 2 Action News Meteorologist Karen Minton said. "You're going to have periods where it's dry, and then you're going to have more bands of rain."
Already, the storm has brought up to three inches of rain to North Georgia, Channel 2 Meteorologist Katie Walls said at midday Monday.
Things will be soggy for the next few days, too.
The chance of rain is at 80 percent for the next three days and could stay at 60 percent into Thursday and Friday.
Then there’s the wind. Minton said gusts to 35 mph could bring down some trees, especially in areas where the ground is already wet.
“We could be in for some strong or severe storms,” Minton said.
RELATED: What is a subtropical storm and why you should care
The center of the storm system known as Alberto is expected to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Monday late morning or early afternoon. Gulf Coast states were braced over the weekend for its impact.
Walls said Sunday evening that tropical storm warnings were in effect for the Alabama coastline along the Florida coastline to the Anclote River in southwest Florida.
Storm surges of 2 feet to 4 feet are possible along the coastline. Parts of Florida and the Gulf Coast are expecting up to 12 inches of rainfall. Of course, along the coast dangerous rip currents will persist.
Flooding is also a top concern in North Georgia.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch that will be in effect Monday at 2 p.m. through Wednesday at 8 a.m.
MORE: Delta warns of flight cancellations due to Alberto
So after a wet holiday, commuters should plan for cautious commutes for the start of the short workweek Tuesday.
The possibility of so much rain prompted the Georgia Department of Transportation to hold up on construction projects.
The agency said via Twitter that construction-related lane closures will be suspended until 5 a.m. Tuesday on interstates. There will be limited lane closures on state routes.
Also, to help the expected holiday travel, the reversible I-75 South Metro Express Lanes will operate on the schedule below, according to GDOT:
The lanes went northbound at 11 a.m. Saturday and will remain that way through the Tuesday morning peak period.
The lanes will return to normal operations Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
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