ATLANTA FORECAST
Wednesday: High: 73
Wednesday night: Low: 59
Thursday: High: 79
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
UPDATE [8:33 p.m.]: Emergency roadwork has shut down all westbound lanes of I-285 at Riverdale Road in Clayton County, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. The roadwork is to repair a sinkhole near Old National Highway
Delays have already mounted back to I-75, and it’s recommended to take I-75 or I-85 as alternates.
ORIGINAL STORY: After an "explosive" morning on Peachtree Street, Midtown traffic has recovered Wednesday night.
However, the traffic problems have moved to the Northside for the evening commute, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
In Gwinnett County, only the right lane of I-85 North near Ga. 211 is moving after a wreck, according to the Traffic Center.
In Rockdale County, a wreck is blocking the left lane of I-20 East near Sigman Road, slowing down traffic into DeKalb County, according to the Traffic Center.
All but one lane of Peachtree Street between Linden Avenue and Renaissance Parkway has reopened after a blown transformer caused a series of explosions in front of Emory University Hospital Midtown, shutting down the road in both directions all morning, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported.
RELATED: 10 'very large explosions' send smoke into the air, shut down major Midtown streets
Several downtown streets also remain closed Wednesday after the Super Bowl.
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between Northside Drive and Centennial Olympic Park Drive, and Andrew Young International Boulevard between Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive are closed until Thursday. Mitchell Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Elliot Street, and Mangum Street between Markham and Foundry streets will also be closed until Thursday.
Baker Street between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Luckie Street is closed until Friday.
Temperatures peaked in the low 70s Wednesday. That’s warm, but not as warm as what’s expected Thursday, Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said.
It looks pretty certain that Atlanta on Thursday will smash the record high temperature of 72 set in 1937. Monahan said models suggest much of North Georgia will near the 80s. The projected high is 79 in Atlanta.
“That is going to be our warmest day by far in this springlike stretch,” he said.
The warmer temps are causing pollen counts to rise, according to Channel 2. On Monday, the count was zero, and on Wednesday it was recorded at 260, which is considered high.
“Last year we did not get to the high level until Feb. 13,” Minton said on Twitter. “Pollen could get much higher (in the) next two days as temperatures reach (the) mid- to upper 70s. Trees will be the primary pollen.”
MORE: Springlike temps causing pollen counts, allergy symptoms to increase early
High pressure will settle in for Thursday ahead of a cold front, making for a dry, hot day.
“Just a little more rain coming into the picture by Thursday night and Friday,” he said. “That’s going to be our big weather change that’s going to end this spring preview and bring us right back to winter temperatures by the time we head through the weekend.”
Friday also carries a 40 percent chance of showers with a forecast high of 62 degrees, according to Channel 2. By Sunday, North Georgia is not expected to get out of the 40s.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
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