If you’re driving through metro Atlanta tomorrow, be on alert. After a deceptively sunny morning, strong showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected to storm through the region by early Tuesday afternoon, bringing a 60% chance of rain, gusts up to 40 mph, and rapidly deteriorating commute conditions across highways like I‑285 and I‑75. What starts calm could quickly spiral into a highway headache.
WHY THE STORMS ARE BREWING
A stalled front hovering over northern and central Georgia is colliding with sultry, moisture-laden air—creating an explosive setup for fast-developing afternoon storms The National Weather Service has flagged the potential for strong wind gusts and brief downpours, with a chance of isolated lightning. While widespread damage isn’t expected, drivers should treat this like a “weather ambush” scenario
TUESDAY TIMELINE – WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHEN
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Morning to Noon: Warm but dry, with temperatures climbing into the mid‑80s and fair skies.
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Afternoon (2–5 PM):
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Scattered showers and storms likely—rain chance around 60%
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Wind gusts could reach up to 40 mph, enough to shake large vehicles and send truck spray across lanes.
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Downpours may drop 0.1–0.5 inches of rain in minutes
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Evening (5–7 PM): Storms taper off, but roads may remain slick into the night.
I‑75 / I‑285 COMMUTERS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
These highways are prone to flash flooding in low-lying spots and near underpasses. Even a brief burst of heavy rain can erase lane lines and pool water quickly. Combine that with wind gusts and spray from large vehicles, and visibility could drop suddenly—turning average commutes into dangerous scenarios.
SAFETY MEASURES FOR COMMUTERS
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Plan around the storm: If possible, avoid highway driving between 2–6 PM.
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Drive defensively: Quickly turn headlights on when rain starts, drop your speed, and stay at least four seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
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Hydroplane awareness: If your car starts to skid, take your foot off the gas and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go—don’t slam the brakes.
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Stay put during lightning: If you feel thunder, stay in your car until it passes—it’s safer than sheltering under road signs or overpasses.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE STORM
Once the storms pass, expect wet roads and lingering cooler air through the night. Patchy fog may develop, especially in suburban and outlying areas. The rest of the week trends drier, with sunshine returning mid‑week—although daily afternoon storms may resume over the weekend .
