Friday, Jan. 10, 8 a.m.
Heavy snow and sleet is falling across metro Atlanta, according to the National Weather Service, which is urging people to stay off the roads due to icy conditions. In Midtown, we measured nearly an inch sticking to the ground as the temperature hovers just below freezing.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 9:05 p.m.
Airlines are taking no chances with the incoming winter storm, with more than 400 flights canceled for Friday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to FlightAware.com.
WSB-TV reports that the storm will move into metro Atlanta between 5 a.m. an 6 a.m. on Friday morning with temperatures hovering at freezing. Accumulating snow and ice is expected by 10 a.m, especially the northern half of the metro. The temperature will play a part in what kind of precipitation Atlanta receives in the wintry mix.
We’ll resume our live coverage in the morning.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 5:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service said on social media that it “increasingly concerned with the potential for significant freezing rain accumulation along and north of the I-20 corridor through Friday. Plan on hazardous driving conditions – ideally, drive only if you must.
NWS said it expects precipitation will start off as snow, then transition to sleet early Friday morning. By mid-morning, freezing rain will mix in, then become all freezing rain by Friday evening. Freezing rain will continue into Friday night.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 5:15 p.m.
MARTA is rolling out an inclement weather service plan in anticipation of tomorrow’s winter weather. MARTA rail service will operate on a 20-minute schedule during regular service hours. Bus and Mobility services will operate on a modified schedule based on road conditions. Streetcar service will be suspended until it is deemed safe to operate based on specific track and road icing conditions. For real-time information, visit itsmarta.com.
Thursday has also seen GDOT crews continuing to apply brine to interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses across metro Atlanta as well as north and central Georgia. Crews continue to work 12-hour shifts and are prioritizing those routes that are heavily traveled by emergency vehicles. All interstates and state routes in the most affected areas will have been treated at least once by the time the storm arrives early Friday morning, with ongoing monitoring of roadways and the potential for the application of additional brine, salt and gravel as conditions warrant.
Also Thursday, GDOT announced the closure of two express lanes facilities, the I-75 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes northwest of metro Atlanta, and the I-75 South Metro Express Lanes south of metro Atlanta, at 11:30 p.m. Thursday evening. The two express lanes facilities will be treated overnight in order to help avoid any accumulation of ice or snow.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 4:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service has now issued a winter storm warning for North Georgia. The metro is still expected to get less than inch of snow, but ice is likely to call hazardous road conditions through Friday into Saturday.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens gave a news conference earlier today updating the city’s efforts to deal with the wintry mix expected in the city. You can watch it below.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 3 p.m.
Due to snow and ice conditions in the forecast, the Buc shuttle service in Buckhead will be temporarily suspended on Friday, Jan. 10, to prioritize the safety of riders and drivers. Normal service will resume on Monday, Jan. 13.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 1:30 p.m.
We have compiled a comprehensive list of schools, events and public institutions that have been affected by the winter weather. Check out this running list of restaurant closures, delays, and food specials for Friday, Jan. 10.
We also have a list of handy tips and resources that will be useful as Atlantans brace for this event.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 12:38 p.m.
It’s a full sweep of public school closures across our coverage area: Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools, DeKalb County Schools and City Schools of Decatur are all closed tomorrow.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 12 p.m.
Atlanta Public Schools will be closed on Friday.
MORE COVERAGE: Tips, resources for staying safe during winter weather weekend
Thursday, Jan. 9, 11:45 a.m.
The list of of Friday school closures has started to grow with DeKalb County Schools being the first public school system in our coverage area to announce a move to online learning. Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and the Lovett School have announced they will move to remote learning on Friday, while Atlanta Technical College, The Galloway School and Gwinnett Technical College will be closed Friday. WSB-TV has an updating list of closures here.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 10:30 a.m.
The National Weather Service’s latest report still indicates the possibility of 1 to 3 inches of snow in North Georgia with a mix of precipitation mostly likely in Atlanta.
While the snow threat has lessened to less than half an inch, frigid temperatures could lead to icy conditions, including slick roads. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) is urging the public to stay home Friday until Sunday.
Gov. Brian Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency this morning, effective immediately through Tuesday, Jan. 14 in preparation for the storm. The State of Emergency authorizes GEMA/HS to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize any needed resources to address potential impacts.
A winter storm watch remains in effect until 7 a.m. on Jan. 11.
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m.
The City of Atlanta is actively preparing for an anticipated winter weather and is taking measures, according to a press release.
To prioritize public safety, all City of Atlanta government offices, including Municipal Courts, will be closed with employees working virtually on Friday, Jan. 10.
Residents should expect delays in garbage and recycling collection on Friday. Bulk pickups originally scheduled for this Friday will be rescheduled to Friday, January 17, 2025.
The Atlanta Department of Transportation will begin pre-treating the roads with brine overnight from 1 a.m to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9
The Department of Watershed Managment urged residents and business owners to wrap exposed outdoor water pipes, locate the water shut-off valve, let faucets drip slowly, drain in-ground sprinkler systems, and protect plants and pets.
If you observe water running from streets or sidewalks, notify ATL 311 immediately at (404) 546-0311.
To support residents affected by homelessness, warming centers are open: today, Jan. 8 to Thursday, Jan. 9, at 8 a.m. The centers will be open Thursday through Sunday, Jan. 12 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. as well.
Warming centers are located at Central Park Recreation Center, 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta 30308 for men only and Selena S. Butler Park, 98 WM Holmes Borders Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, for women and children only. Old Adamsville Recreation Center and Emergency Shelter will continue to serve as an overflow location.
Transportation will be provided by Fulton County from the Gateway Center at 8:00 pm nightly with return transportation upon deactivation.
To sign up for emergency alerts from NOTIFY ATL visit https://www.atlantaga.gov/notifyatl or text NOTIFYATL to 24639.
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 1 p.m.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is actively preparing and coordinating brine operations and staffing plans to respond to the pending threat of icy conditions and snow accumulation this weekend.
In a press release, GDOT said it will begin treating roadways, bridges and overprices with brine at 7 p.m. this evening in northwest Georgia, with brining beginning in metro Atlanta at midnight tonight.
Brine operations will begin in earnest in northeast Georgia at 7 a.m. Thursday. Crews will work 12-hour shifts and will prioritize treating interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses north of and including I-20; state routes and interstates south of I-20 are also slated to be treated today into Thursday and then re-treated as needed.
GDOT also said additional crews and equipment will be deployed from southeast Georgia beginning today. The organization’s Highway Emergency Response Operators (HEROs) will monitor roadways in metro Atlanta for potential freezing during their hours of active patrol.
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 8:45 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the northern half of Georgia for 7 a.m.. Friday, Jan. 10 through 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, predicting significant accumulations of snow, sleet, and freezing rain that will lead to hazardous travel conditions.
Please note that while the watch covers the duration of the storm as it passes through, the effects on roads could last much longer until warmer air moves into the region.
Accumulations of snow are predicted to range from 3 to 6 inches in the North Georgia mountains, with Atlanta and its suburbs to the south receiving 2 to 4 inches of mixed precipitation including snow, freezing rain and ice.
Please follow these tips from GEMA as you prepare for the storm.
Here is a list of warming centers in Atlanta.
Tuesday, January, Jan.7
Gov. Brian Kemp issues weather statement
Kemp’s office announced he has instructed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and all relevant state agencies to monitor the winter weather forecast and prepare for the storm system expected to enter the state later this week. He has also instructed that they collaborate with local and state officials to assess conditions and determine the best steps to ensure the safety of all Georgians ahead of the storm’s impact.
“As with any weather system that might impact Georgia communities, we are actively monitoring the approaching winter storm and taking action now to ensure our communities are prepared for any possible impact,” Kemp said in the statement. “Along with state agency leaders, I’m urging Georgians to stay weather-aware, especially as they make plans for the coming days. Please make necessary arrangements to keep your family safe and stay tuned for more information as this storm approaches.”
Uncertain forecast, but freezing precip likely
Temperatures for North Georgia will range from the mid 20s to the low 40s, with temps across the southern part of the state, including Coastal Georgia, rising from the upper 20s to the mid 50s.
“A low pressure system is likely to bring accumulating wintry precipitation to portions of the area Friday through Saturday morning,” the forecast reads. “While uncertainty remains regarding precipitation type and accumulation amounts, impacts to travel would be expected during this time, especially in North Georgia.”
Dylan Lusk is a meteorologist with NWS.
“This far out, the details are still kind of fuzzy,” he told GPB. “When we talk about winter precipitation in Georgia, literally one degree in temperature makes a huge difference…. But we’re pretty confident at this point that we’re going to see, especially in northern Georgia, some kind of winter weather. It’s looking at this time like there’s a decent chance that will be snow across the north. Exactly how much remains to be seen.”
He said the confidence of winter weather is lower for areas south of I-20, but to still be aware that winter weather could happen.
Weekend weather timeline
· A significant winter weather event is likely to occur across north and central Georgia on Friday with impacts lingering through the weekend.
· A mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow will begin to move into western Georgia early Friday morning and cover much of north and central Georgia by sunrise. This wintry mix will continue throughout the day into Friday night before diminishing early Saturday morning.
· Temperatures will be near or just below freezing between the onset of wintry precipitation on Friday morning all the way through sunset on Saturday.
· Forecast snowfall and ice accumulation totals will fluctuate over the next few days, but a few inches of snow and one-quarter of an inch of ice or more will be possible across much of north Georgia and even parts of central Georgia on Friday.
· Hazardous travel conditions are possible on Friday and Saturday, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roadways.
· Light winds are forecast on Friday but will increase between sunrise and sunset on Saturday (10-15 mph sustained, gusting to 20 mph), so any remaining snow and ice could bring down trees and powerlines this weekend.
· After sunset Saturday, temperatures will fall below freezing and bottom out in the upper teens to lower 20s across north and central Georgia.
· Anything not evaporated by Saturday evening will refreeze into Sunday morning.
· Sunday afternoon temperatures should reach the upper 30s to lower 40s, which should allow for any remaining moisture to evaporate before Sunday night.
· With impacts depending on slight temperature differences, it is important to monitor forecast changes over the next few days and take proper precautions before Friday morning.
· As always, please stay tuned to forecast updates from your local National Weather Service office and reliable media outlets.
State Action and Preparation
GDOT vehicles and crews will begin brining roads on Thursday, particularly in areas north of and along I-20. Residents are encouraged to avoid travel in the most impacted areas, if at all possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, however, motorists should give plenty of space and clearance to allow GDOT crews to continue to treat and clear roads as needed for the safety of the traveling public.
The Motor Carrier Compliance Division has partnered with GDOT to escort brining details across the metro area into northern Georgia to the Tennessee line starting on Thursday. DPS Troopers and Officers will be on standby across the state for any service calls regarding the winter weather and the needs of the state.
This is a developing story.
