According to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, below normal temperatures are expected throughout the week and weekend, warming up by Monday, Jan. 13
Abundant sunshine will give way to rain, snow, freezing rain and ice across Georgia on Jan. 10 to Jan. 11, which could impact travel.
Update: Wednesday, Jan. 8:
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the northern half of Georgia for 7 a.m.. Friday, Jan. 10 through 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, predicting significant accumulations of snow, sleet, and freezing rain that will lead to hazardous travel conditions.
Please note that while the watch covers the duration of the storm as it passes through, the effects on roads could last much longer until warmer air moves into the region .
Accumulations of snow are predicted to range from 3 to 6 inches in the North Georgia mountains, with Atlanta and its suburbs to the south receiving 2 to 4 inches of mixed precipitation including snow, freezing rain and ice.
Please follow these tips from GEMA as you prepare for the storm.
Here is a list of warming centers in Atlanta.
Gov. Brian Kemp issues weather statement
Kemp’s office announced he has instructed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and all relevant state agencies to monitor the winter weather forecast and prepare for the storm system expected to enter the state later this week. He has also instructed that they collaborate with local and state officials to assess conditions and determine the best steps to ensure the safety of all Georgians ahead of the storm’s impact.
“As with any weather system that might impact Georgia communities, we are actively monitoring the approaching winter storm and taking action now to ensure our communities are prepared for any possible impact,” Kemp said in the statement. “Along with state agency leaders, I’m urging Georgians to stay weather-aware, especially as they make plans for the coming days. Please make necessary arrangements to keep your family safe and stay tuned for more information as this storm approaches.”
Uncertain forecast, but freezing precip likely
Temperatures for North Georgia will range from the mid 20s to the low 40s, with temps across the southern part of the state, including Coastal Georgia, rising from the upper 20s to the mid 50s.
“A low pressure system is likely to bring accumulating wintry precipitation to portions of the area Friday through Saturday morning,” the forecast reads. “While uncertainty remains regarding precipitation type and accumulation amounts, impacts to travel would be expected during this time, especially in North Georgia.”
Dylan Lusk is a meteorologist with NWS.
“This far out, the details are still kind of fuzzy,” he told GPB. “When we talk about winter precipitation in Georgia, literally one degree in temperature makes a huge difference…. But we’re pretty confident at this point that we’re going to see, especially in northern Georgia, some kind of winter weather. It’s looking at this time like there’s a decent chance that will be snow across the north. Exactly how much remains to be seen.”
He said the confidence of winter weather is lower for areas south of I-20, but to still be aware that winter weather could happen.
Weekend weather timeline
· A significant winter weather event is likely to occur across north and central Georgia on Friday with impacts lingering through the weekend.
· A mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow will begin to move into western Georgia early Friday morning and cover much of north and central Georgia by sunrise. This wintry mix will continue throughout the day into Friday night before diminishing early Saturday morning.
· Temperatures will be near or just below freezing between the onset of wintry precipitation on Friday morning all the way through sunset on Saturday.
· Forecast snowfall and ice accumulation totals will fluctuate over the next few days, but a few inches of snow and one-quarter of an inch of ice or more will be possible across much of north Georgia and even parts of central Georgia on Friday.
· Hazardous travel conditions are possible on Friday and Saturday, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roadways.
· Light winds are forecast on Friday but will increase between sunrise and sunset on Saturday (10-15 mph sustained, gusting to 20 mph), so any remaining snow and ice could bring down trees and powerlines this weekend.
· After sunset Saturday, temperatures will fall below freezing and bottom out in the upper teens to lower 20s across north and central Georgia.
· Anything not evaporated by Saturday evening will refreeze into Sunday morning.
· Sunday afternoon temperatures should reach the upper 30s to lower 40s, which should allow for any remaining moisture to evaporate before Sunday night.
· With impacts depending on slight temperature differences, it is important to monitor forecast changes over the next few days and take proper precautions before Friday morning.
· As always, please stay tuned to forecast updates from your local National Weather Service office and reliable media outlets.
State Action and Preparation
GDOT vehicles and crews will begin brining roads on Thursday, particularly in areas north of and along I-20. Residents are encouraged to avoid travel in the most impacted areas, if at all possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, however, motorists should give plenty of space and clearance to allow GDOT crews to continue to treat and clear roads as needed for the safety of the traveling public.
The Motor Carrier Compliance Division has partnered with GDOT to escort brining details across the metro area into northern Georgia to the Tennessee line starting on Thursday. DPS Troopers and Officers will be on standby across the state for any service calls regarding the winter weather and the needs of the state.
This story comes to The Georgia Sun through a reporting partnership with GPB a non-profit newsroom focused on reporting in Georgia.
Devon Zwald | GPB
Devon joined Georgia Public Broadcasting in June 2022. She previously worked in Athens as a reporter and producer for WUGA News and Athens News Matters — WUGA’s flagship news show.
