WEATHER ALERT: Black ice a concern on Georgia roads as temps plummet

Live updates Tuesday morning for Atlanta and Georgia roads

Officials across Georgia are warning that cold temperatures mixed with heavy rainfall and maybe some wintry weather could create dangerous road conditions Monday evening and overnight.

The National Weather Service on Monday issued a statement saying that communities throughout North and Middle Georgia could see patchy black ice in the late evening through Tuesday morning.

The threat of “potential inclement weather” prompted Gov. Brian Kemp to delay the opening times for state offices Tuesday.

“In consultation with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, my office is postponing the opening of all state offices for two hours,” the statement said.

Kemp also encouraged school leaders to “monitor the situation closely.” Several systems and universities altered their plans for Tuesday, including Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County Schools, Fulton County Schools, Emory University, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State University.

The DeKalb Board of Health announced that its health centers, COVID-19 testing sites and vaccination sites will delay opening until 11 a.m.

Atlanta should stay in the 40s Monday with a projected high of 47 degrees. Heavy rain has moved in and will continue to stay in the metro area through the evening hours, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz.

The city could wake up to temps in the 20s Tuesday before topping out at a high of 40 in the afternoon, according to Channel 2.

Lingering wet spots could freeze overnight, creating the potential for black ice. There is no rain in the forecast Tuesday.

“As the cold front pushes in behind the storm system this evening, rain could change to light freezing rain, sleet or snow,” the NWS said. “Any accumulations are expected to be very light, however with temperatures falling into the 20s, some roads may become icy from winter precipitation or the refreezing of water on roadways.”

The Georgia Department of Transportation said it is treating metro Atlanta roadways with brine “in preparation of potential flash freezing due to precipitation.”

“Crews in metro Atlanta will be treating interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses with salt on the west side of the city until 7 p.m., and again starting at 8 p.m. until 8 a.m.,” the agency said in a statement. “After that, additional crews will continue efforts as needed.”

There were delays throughout metro Atlanta during the evening commute, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Wet pavement and foggy conditions contributed to crashes throughout the day.

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

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