Several inches of snow fell across North Georgia on Saturday morning, causing major traffic issues for the counties that were hardest hit.
While most families stayed at home and enjoyed the snow day in their neighborhoods, some drivers who ventured out ended up getting stuck or involved in crashes on the icy roadways, authorities said.
In Cherokee County, several drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles on the road, making it difficult for crews to treat the snow-covered streets, said Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt. Jay Baker.
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Between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Cherokee deputies responded to 67 crashes, most of which occurred in the northern part of the county, he said.
Similar scenes played out farther north in counties such as Pickens, Fannin, Lumpkin, Dawson and Forsyth as law enforcement agencies across North Georgia urged residents to stay home until the snowfall stopped and the roads could be cleared.
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
The wintry mix moved into metro Atlanta about 9 a.m., bringing snowfall as far south as downtown Atlanta and as far east as Athens.
The snow stopped about noon, but not before dumping more than 2 inches in northern Cobb and Gwinnett counties, said Channel 2 Action News chief meteorologist Glenn Burns.
Lumpkin County saw the bulk of the snowfall, however, as the city of Dahlonega received a total of 6.25 inches in the span of just a few hours, Channel 2 said.
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Georgia Department of Transportation crews treated major Atlanta area roads and interstates on Friday evening, which kept them in relatively good shape during the snow, GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale said.
Authorities were concerned the snow could melt and refreeze overnight, however, so drivers were urged to be careful if they decide to go out early Sunday.
“Any moisture left on the road will refreeze tonight,” Dale said Saturday. “We want to get as much of that off the road as possible.”
Any remaining ice and snow should be long gone by noon as metro Atlanta warms back up into the high 50s, Burns said.
A freezing fog advisory is in effect for most of metro Atlanta until 9 a.m. Sunday, Channel 2 reported.
— Staff writer David Wickert contributed to this article.
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