Parts of metro Atlanta are still patiently waiting for some snowfall Sunday morning while North Georgia is already experiencing a couple of inches of snow.
Cold temperatures have been setting in for the past few days in northern Georgia as we prepared for snowfall. Snow has yet to hit Atlanta but is expected around 11 a.m. after rain and strong winds overnight.
“You’re waking up to just rain, and a cold rain and a strong wind out there and it’s gonna get a lot rainier and then eventually a lot more wintry for the next few hours,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.
Temperatures for most of the day will remain in the mid- to low 30s and winds should eventually ease up by around the time snow comes around. Expect cloudy skies all day, which will make it feel even cooler outside. If you have not yet gotten a chance to pull out your puffy, winter coat, today is definitely the day to do so.
A winter storm warning is in place for Forsyth, Jackson, Madison, Gwinnett and Barrow counties until midnight, according to the National Weather Service. Such parts of Georgia could see up to 4 inches of snow and a half-inch of ice accumulations with up to 40 mph wind gusts. Power outages and tree damage from the strong winds are already being felt across several northern counties. Roadways are also slick from the ice and motorists should avoid traveling if possible.
Atlanta should expect up to 2 inches of snow and about 1/4 inches of ice with up to 40 mph wind gusts. Other counties such as Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb and Barrow should expect the same conditions.
With the winter weather setting in, motorists should plan to stay put all day, as road conditions are less than ideal due to the accumulation of ice and snow. If you have to make your way out of the house, make sure to drive well below the speed limit and do not slam on your breaks and instead try to let your car slow down itself.
“With the roadways getting bad, especially up in the northeast Georgia mountains, if you are at home, you don’t need to be anywhere. Stay at home, do not get out on the road,” Monahan said.
GDOT reported snow on the roads and downed trees on some state highways and interstates. Most of the problems were confined to northeast Georgia, where spokesperson Natalie Dale reported slushy conditions. GDOT crews will apply another treatment of brine to metro Atlanta highways this morning.
GDOT has about 2,000 employees treating and clearing roads this weekend. Dale said COVID-19 has not caused staffing shortages that prevent the agency from fielding a full team on the highways, though she said “we don’t have a deep bench.”
Cobb County officials do not recommend their residents get out on the road Sunday morning. Not because of slick roads, but because of the high winds that are causing scattered power outages, downed trees and flickering traffic signals. The slick roads will soon set in, though, adding just another layer to the havoc. Woodstock police is telling the same to its motorist, as they experience flashing traffic signals along all of Ridgewalk Parkways.
In DeKalb County, one right lane is blocked along Clairmont Road between North Druid Hills and North Decatur Road after a tree fell around 6:30 a.m. Lights are also flickering at the intersection and should be treated as a 4-way stop.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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