North Georgia woke up to the first freeze of the season Tuesday morning.
Temperatures were 15 to 25 degrees lower than on Monday morning, putting Atlanta at 30 degrees to begin the day. It had not been that cold since February, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan.
“It’s going to stay cold all day,” Monahan said. “Forty-two degrees, that is usually our average low this time of year. Instead, that will be our high later on this afternoon.”
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Some areas north of Atlanta were still getting snow before sunrise Tuesday. Snow showers began to fall in the northeast Georgia mountains Monday afternoon, and a few flurries extended into the suburbs.
Areas from Pickens County to Dawson and north Forsyth counties were still seeing a few snowflakes Tuesday morning, which made for the possibility of slick conditions on the roads.
“Slippery travel will be possible in a few neighborhoods early this morning,” Monahan said. “Leave just a little bit of extra time on your way into work.”
A winter weather advisory for portions of far North Georgia expired at 7 a.m.
While lots of sunshine is in the forecast Tuesday, a northwest breeze will keep things cool, Monahan said. The wind chill will make metro Atlanta feel like the 30s all day long.
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Monahan does not expect any more snow this week.
“We will not have any snow showers tonight, just the cold as we get going early on Wednesday morning,” he said. “Plenty of sun for Wednesday afternoon. We’ll start to warm up after tomorrow morning.”
Temperatures should plunge into the 20s again overnight, but 50s are in the forecast for Wednesday afternoon, according to Channel 2. The city of Atlanta is opening its warming center at the former Ramada Hotel on Capitol Avenue at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Those who need a ride can be picked up at Safe House Outreach, located at 89 Ellis Street in northeast Atlanta.
While it will be cold, at least it should stay dry. Monahan said the next chance of rain will hold off until Friday.
The snow and chill did not cause any early trouble for the Tuesday morning drive, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Traffic reporter Mark Arum expects lighter-than-normal conditions to continue for the evening drive.
Speeds are expected to slow to 35 mph Tuesday afternoon on the Downtown Connector, which Arum said is still a decent pace for the typically congested interstate.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
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