Goodbye rain, hello snow?
Not exactly. Flurries are possible in the metro area early Wednesday. But a cold, windy day is more likely in Atlanta as a deadly winter storm makes it way across the U.S. to the East Coast, according to forecasters.
“No accumulation is expected here. The ground is too warm,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist David Chandley said. “The cold air really spills in through the day Wednesday.”
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for parts of North Georgia until 1 p.m. Wednesday. But only the extreme northern counties with higher elevations are likely to see a dusting of snow, according to forecasters. The metro area will have wind gusts up to 45 mph, Chandley said.
Even if the metro area dodges ice and snow this time, the winter storm blamed for at least 11 deaths nationwide has already created a mess in many areas of the country. And that is likely to affect thousands of Georgians.
Some 43 million Americans are expected to travel for the holiday weekend, down slightly from last year, according to AAA. In an already busy holiday travel week, the messy weather has slowed flights in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Flights Tuesday afternoon were delayed up to 30 minutes, the Federal Aviation Administration said. And for those travelers heading to storm-hit areas, the delays were longer. Late Tuesday, ground stops were in effect at La Guardia Airport in New York City, Newark International in New Jersey, and Charlotte Douglas International in North Carolina.
Because of the weather, some airlines have announced that the usual fees required to change flights will be dropped for those traveling to and from storm-affected areas. Delta Air Lines was the first to make the announcement Monday evening and U.S. Airways followed about two hours later.
Those driving instead of flying to Thanksgiving gatherings are advised to use caution on the roads. Heavy rains Tuesday caused numerous crashes on Atlanta interstates and side streets. Statewide last year 21 people were killed in vehicle wrecks over the four-day Thanksgiving holiday period, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
State troopers also will be alert for any impaired drivers who decide to get behind the wheel.
“Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, but also know that if you drive impaired, you will go to jail and your vehicle will be impounded,” Col. Mark W. McDonough, public safety commissioner, said in a news release.
So, what if you’re not traveling further than your own kitchen for turkey day?
Be prepared to bundle up, forecasters said. Wednesday’s high temperatures won’t climb out of the 30s, according to the Channel 2 meteorologists. Thursday’s high will warm to the mid-40s, thanks to sunny skies.
Friday and Saturday will be sunny and warmer, with highs in the low 50s and morning lows in the upper 20s to low 30s.
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