After snow blanketed metro Atlanta and North Georgia on Friday, the concern now is that the slushy mess could turn to ice as temperatures plummet again overnight.
Countless crashes have been reported across the state, and government officials have repeatedly underscored the importance of staying home unless travel is essential.
Up to 3½ inches of snow fell in some parts of the metro area. It was the most widespread snow the region has seen since January 2018, and was closer to what was initially predicted earlier this week, before an adjusted forecast called for less than an inch in Atlanta and no more than 2 inches in surrounding areas.
The Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, in effect through 7 a.m. Saturday. It covers all of North Georgia from the Tennessee and North Carolina lines, south through metro Atlanta into Griffin and as far southwest as Heard County and southeast as Lincoln County.
The snowfall ended in metro Atlanta by late morning, but it was still accumulating in parts of North Georgia. In some locations, it was falling faster than the salt and brine can melt it, Channel 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz said.
The freezing rain coming down behind the snow is compacting the snow and creating even more hazardous conditions with up to a third of an inch of ice expected. Some areas could even see just under a half-inch of ice, Nitz said. For context, that is about as much ice as the city got during 2014′s “Snowpocalypse.”
Here’s everything we know about the storm.
Forecast and preparations
The snow began to arrive in parts of metro Atlanta early Friday. State and local governments have been preparing roads.
» Snow blankets metro Atlanta: Live updates
» PHOTOS: Snow, sleet hit metro Atlanta
» Local governments say they have learned from “snowpocalypse”
» VIDEO: What lessons did Atlanta learn from “Snowpocalypse?”
» Kemp issues state of emergency ahead of Friday’s winter storm
» Winter storm watch extended, snow expected in metro Atlanta later this week
School closures
School districts have canceled class or are having a digital learning day.
» Georgia colleges and schools closing Friday as storm approaches
Travel impacts
Travel to, from or through Atlanta and other Southeastern cities have been disrupted, and Delta Air Lines issued a waiver allowing travelers more flexibility to change their flight bookings.
» Delta passengers evacuate by slide onto snowy Atlanta runway after engine problem
» Hundreds of Atlanta flights canceled Friday due to winter storm
» Airlines warn winter storm could disrupt Atlanta flights on Friday
Event cancellations
The storm has prompted the closure of several buildings and events in the metro area, including the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
» Atlanta Botanical Garden among closures and canceled events due to expected winter storm
And most of this weekend’s 61 boys and girls area and region wrestling tournaments will be held a day or two earlier.
» GHSA gives weather guidance on region wrestling
