Will it snow in Atlanta? Winter storm threat increases later this week

The bitter cold will slap you in the face when you step outside this week, and the possibility is increasing for snow to fall Friday across parts of Georgia.

So much so that the state is getting ready to brine roads.

But what will we get in metro Atlanta? That is the million-dollar question.

It’s looking more likely that North Georgia will see at least an inch of snowfall, but weather experts caution it’s still too early to know what may reach the metro area at the end of the work week. One thing that does seem certain: ice and sleet.

“Now is the time to closely monitor the forecast and consider preparations,” the National Weather Service said Tuesday.

In an effort to avoid the calamity of 2014′s “Snowpocalypse,” which stranded motorists and disrupted life in Atlanta, cities and counties are trying to prepare for whatever may come. Georgia Power said it’s monitoring the forecast, and crews stand ready to respond. And local stores are stocking up in anticipation of customers seeking winter weather supplies.

Weather experts said they should have a clearer picture by Wednesday of what’s in store.

In a Tuesday afternoon news release, Gov. Brian Kemp said 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 Middle Georgia on Friday. Workers will begin brining roads north of and along I-20 on Thursday, he said.

“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.”

Over the next few days, highs will be in the 40s and lows in the 20s, prompting warming centers to open for those needing shelter. Some sites will be accessible around the clock.

By Friday, highs will stay in the 30s.

Credit: Ben Hendren for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Credit: Ben Hendren for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Whether Atlanta gets any snow will depend on how a storm currently over Texas develops. The further north it goes, the better chance for a wintry mix. If it stays to our south, we’ll likely only get freezing rain.

Areas in North Georgia, as south as parts of north Cobb and Fulton counties, could see accumulating snow Friday to Saturday morning, Channel 2 Action News chief meteorologist Brad Nitz said Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, most of metro Atlanta, extending south to Griffin, is more likely to experience a mix of snow and freezing rain.

“A mix of precipitation types is most likely in Atlanta at this time. However, snow chances are increasing,” the Weather Service said.

Some areas have already seen icy patches. Standing water left from rain that fell early Monday froze over as temperatures plummeted through the evening. Road crews in Gwinnett County, for example, had to treat ice on Beaver Ruin Road near Buford Highway on Tuesday morning.

The governor’s office warned that hazardous conditions are expected, particularly on Friday and Saturday, with the greatest risks on bridges, overpasses and untreated roads.

Slick patches could persist until Sunday morning, as any remaining moisture from the wintry precipitation may freeze overnight Saturday.

Got questions regarding the timing of the potential wintry precip later this week and the types of precip expected? You can search the forecast for your location at https://t.co/UxAcKPFRZK. In the meantime, here are some important points about winter weather forecasts! #gawx pic.twitter.com/U3lCdzlub3
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 7, 2025

In Atlanta, the city’s transportation department is warning drivers to be careful, part of an attempt to prevent a repeat of the winter storm disaster that took place just over a decade ago. More than 1,000 traffic crashes were reported during the 2014 storm, which brought only 2.6 inches of snow.

The department is cautioning drivers about the risks of low visibility and icy roads. Residents who need to brave the cold weather are encouraged to have at least a half-tank of gas and stash emergency supplies — such as tire chains, blankets, a windshield scraper and a shovel — in their cars.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown and Gainesville will be closed Friday due to the weather. All tickets purchased will be automatically refunded.

Officials from Atlanta and Cobb County scheduled meetings with the Weather Service. And Cobb’s DOT plans to outfit maintenance vehicles with spreaders and brine tanks later in the week, spokesperson Ross Cavitt said. Officials there were meeting with nonprofit partners to plan for any increased demand for social services over the weekend, Cavitt added.

Likewise, Gwinnett officials are coordinating with organizations that offer help for people experiencing homelessness or lacking heat, utilities or power, spokesperson Deborah Tuff said.

Gwinnett has fueled and readied chain saws for fallen trees and prepared snowplow attachments for county vehicles, she said. The county expects to treat bridges with a combination of brine, salt and gravel, depending on weather conditions.

DeKalb County also plans to treat some roads, including bridges and lows areas, on Thursday, spokesman Quinn Hudson said.

Several customers had already stopped at Ace Hardware of Toco Hills on Tuesday to pick up winter supplies, such as snow shovels, pipe insulation, firewood and hand and toe warmers. Owner Mark Luther said he stockpiled inventory about 12 days ago, as soon as he heard the first hint that a winter storm could be approaching.

“I have a ton of ice melt, but nobody’s really buying the ice melt,” he said. “They’re thinking about the snow and the cold, but not the ice. I’m sure that’ll go once (they see) the ice in the forecast.”

— Staff writers Alia Pharr, Riley Bunch and Caroline Silva contributed to this article.

Metro Atlanta warming centers

The city of Atlanta will open a warming shelter at 8 p.m. each evening at least through Thursday at the Central Park Recreation Center at 400 Merritts Avenue, with the Old Adamsville Recreation Center at 3404 Delmar Lane serving as an overflow location.

In DeKalb, four warming centers will be open 24 hours a day until further notice. They include:

» Frontline Response International at 2585 Gresham Road;

» Tobie Grant Recreation Center at 593 Parkdale Drive;

» Mason Mill Recreation Center at 1340 McConnell Drive;

» Exchange Recreation Center at 2771 Columbia Drive.

An overnight warming center will be available at the North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, located at 3393 Malone Drive.

Gwinnett’s warming stations will open Wednesday evening starting at 6 p.m. They include:

» Buford Senior Center at 2755 Sawnee Avenue;

» Shorty Howell Park Activity Building at 2750 Pleasant Hill Road;

» Best Friend Park Gym at 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard;

» Centerville Senior Center at 3025 Bethany Church Road;

» Lawrenceville Senior Center at 225 Benson Street.

In Cobb, MUST Ministries will open its winter weather shelter nightly at least through Friday. Those looking to spend the night should check in by 8 p.m., the organization said. Dinner and a hot breakfast will be served. The shelter is at 1297 Bells Ferry Road in Marietta.