Another brutally cold morning is on the way for Thursday.
“With clear skies, calm winds, and snow on the ground, expect lows of 8 to 14 degrees,” chief meteorologist Glenn Burns with Channel 2 Action News said Wednesday night.
But two days after a winter storm that has brought metro Atlanta to a halt, some of the frozen mess should finally melt, Burns said.
That can’t come fast enough for people whose commutes lasted eight hours or more, students and teachers who spent the night at school, or even those cooped up at home since late Tuesday morning. Alicia Jones spent 16 hours in her car with her 2-year-old daughter before her car ended up off the road and she had to call 911.
“I don’t ever want to see snow again,” Jones said Wednesday night. “And if I do, I’ll be smart enough to tell my job, ‘I’m leaving.’”
After a cold start Thursday morning, temperatures will climb to around 40 degrees, Burns said. With at least seven or eight hours of above-freezing temperatures in the forecast, the sunshine should melt away most of the frozen precipitation that has caused so many problems for motorists and law enforcement.
Still, “Snow Jam 2014” is not over yet. Here’s what to expect Thursday:
- Roads: It's very likely that icy patches will linger Thursday morning, continuing to make some roads treacherous. But crews will continue to work overnight to get roads in shape, according to state officials. Get updates on the roads where you live from local police agencies, such as through their Facebook pages, before heading out. Also, check the Georgia Department of Transportation website for updates on the interstates. If possible, wait until after noon to drive.
- Vehicles: If you were forced to abandon your vehicle, Thursday should be the day you can get it back. But it may not be in the same place you left it. Some vehicles had to be moved or towed to clear roadways, officials said. Late Wednesday, GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale said several state agencies will work together to return people to their stranded vehicles. People who left their vehicles on I-20 and I-285 west should report to the Westlake MARTA station (parking area), 80 Anderson Ave. SW, Atlanta, at 10 a.m. Thursday. Those who left their vehicles on I-75, the top end of I-285 and the Downtown Connector (I-75/I-85) should report to Mount Paran Church (parking area), 2055 Mount Paran Road, Atlanta, also at 10 a.m. "We're bringing the gas and we're bringing the energy (to recharge dead batteries)," Dale told Channel 2 Action News. "You bring your keys and your driver's license."
- Schools: Metro area schools and colleges will remain closed Thursday. Check updated closings here.
- MARTA: Buses were temporarily suspended early Wednesday due to icy roadways, and trains ran slower than normal. MARTA hopes to return as soon as possible to its normal schedule. Check the transit's website here for updates.
- Airlines: Delta anticipates flight cancellations at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport through Thursday morning before temperatures increase and conditions improve, a spokeswoman said. Please check your flight status with your airline before going to the airport.
- Forecast: By Friday afternoon, temperatures should reach the low 50s, according to forecasters. Friday morning, the low will dip into the 20s. But expect well above freezing temperatures for the weekend, when Saturday and Sunday highs will climb into the low 60s.
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