For the 10th day in a row, Atlanta has hit the mid-90s, but Friday’s heat hasn’t felt as heavy as the last several days.
The city has hit 95 degrees, but 30% humidity makes it feel like the temperature on the thermometer, according to Channel 2 Action News.
While the air may not feel as thick today, downtown traffic definitely is, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported. A crash on the Downtown Connector has the left northbound shoulder blocked just before 10th Street, adding to volume-related delays during the evening commute.
Downtown: Crash...Conn/nb (75-85) before 10th St, just under North Ave. Off to the left. Expect some delays. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/j2xHL1ZFrc pic.twitter.com/7QTW6o9drm
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) August 16, 2019
Southside traffic is also struggling. A wreck previously blocked several lanes of I-75 North at Jodeco Road in Henry County, according to the Traffic Center. All lanes have reopened, but the incident left miles of delays in its wake.
Henry Co: Crash Cleared...I-75/nb before Jodeco Rd (Exit 222). All lanes back open. Still slow before Hwy 155 but should start to improve. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/j2xHL1ZFrc pic.twitter.com/MOyxfLo1dy
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) August 16, 2019
In DeKalb County, all westbound lanes were temporarily shut down past Panola Road with a multivehicle crash involving an overturned SUV with a trailer, according to police. Multiple injuries have been reported.
The lanes reopened around noon, and delays are minimal.
RELATED: Multivehicle crash cleared on I-20 in DeKalb
#REDALERT DeKalb Co: Crash...I-20/wb past Panola Rd (Exit 71). All lanes SHUTDOWN. Big delays back in to Lithonia. Use Covington Hwy as an alternate. #ATLtraffic https://t.co/j2xHL1ZFrc pic.twitter.com/YlvHl7Ykkb
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) August 16, 2019
Ongoing maintenance on DeKalb railroad crossings continues for one more day. Frazier Road is shut down near Lavista Road, as well as Brockett Road near Lawrenceville Highway and Montreal Road between Lawrenceville Highway and Lavista Road.
Hey, Dekalb County! Railroad Crossing Work has Brockett Rd closed at the railroad crossing near Hwy. 29 until Saturday, 8/17 (tomorrow morning) Use Northlake Pkwy or Fellowship Rd. instead. https://t.co/MhPvicYKPN #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/9ZyuBGxxG7
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) August 16, 2019
Heads Up Dekalb County! Railroad Crossing Work has Montreal Rd. shut down at the crossing btw. LaVista Rd & Hwy. 29. Use Northlake Pkwy as an alternate. Work will wrap up Saturday 8/17 (tomorrow morning) https://t.co/MhPvicYKPN #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/ZycrUZKQFM
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) August 16, 2019
Northlake Parkway and Lawrenceville Highway are good alternates until the work wraps up at 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the Traffic Center.
TRAVEL ADVISORY in Dekalb County: Railroad Crossing Work has Frazier Rd. closed btw. LaVista Rd. and Pangborn Rd until Saturday 8/17 (tomorrow morning) https://t.co/MhPvicYKPN #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/nI8pIjEB5d
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) August 16, 2019
If it seems like it’s been exceptionally hot this summer, it has. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirms that July was the hottest month on record for the planet.
Not-so-fun-fact: @NOAA confirms July 2019 was the hottest month on record for the planet. That's based upon the *average* global temperature. Here in Atlanta, July ranked as the 9th hottest on record, running 3.1° warmer than the average. pic.twitter.com/Mnzz4YiF77
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsTV) August 16, 2019
In Atlanta, this July wasn’t quite the hottest ever experienced, but it was still hotter than average. The average temperature in July is 79 degrees, and Atlanta averaged more than three degrees higher this year.
July 2019 was the ninth hottest on record locally, according to Channel 2.
“Keep in mind that when we're talking about the global average temperature, we are looking at every single temperature across the entire planet,” Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said. “So while most spots did experience their hottest month, we didn’t necessarily here.”
Some places, including in parts of Russia and Scandinavia, reported lower than average temperatures, she said.
Atlanta’s average temperature for mid-August is 88 degrees. Intown temperatures have already surpassed that mark, according to Channel 2.
North Georgia is expected to stay dry through the evening drive and overnight hours Friday. There is a down side, however.
“That dry air, it’s dense so it sinks down to the surface,” Walls said. “Unfortunately, that will be conducive for unhealthy air quality later on this afternoon.”
Metro Atlanta is again under a Code Orange air quality alert Friday. Walls said the primary time to be aware of diminished air quality is between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
RELATED: What is a Code Orange? Smog alert issued for Atlanta
Air quality is in the moderate range for now but is forecast to become unhealthy this afternoon. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means those with sensitive lungs should limit time outside, especially between 4-8pm, when ozone concentrations are highest. pic.twitter.com/k9v6qRyS51
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsTV) August 16, 2019
Those with asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, young children and other sensitive groups are encouraged to limit time outside.
“Please take care as you head out later on this afternoon,” Walls said.
HEADS UP! A Code Orange Air Quality Alert is again in effect for Metro Atlanta today. Ozone concentrations are highest between 4pm-8pm. If you have sensitive lungs or heart disease, you're encouraged to limit time outside, especially during those times. pic.twitter.com/ZXnIjh7vuu
— Katie Walls (@KatieWallsTV) August 16, 2019
Heat indexes are on their way up again, according to Channel 2. Weekend highs are forecast in the low to mid-90s, but it will feel more like 97 degrees on both days.
Rain chances stay low with only a slight 20% chance on Sunday, according to the latest forecast.
» 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.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.