What time will it snow today? Kemp issues State of Emergency ahead of winter storm

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a State of Emergency effective immediately in preparation for the freezing temperatures and winter weather expected to impact Georgia on Tuesday.

The FOX 5 Storm Team has declared Tuesday a Storm Alert Day. Please be weather aware.

State of Emergency in Georgia

What we know:

The State of Emergency executive order authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize any needed resources to address potential impacts. 

Timeline:

The State of Emergency will run through next Tuesday, Jan. 28.

By the numbers:

Here is why the governor declared a state of emergency:

The Georgia Department of Defense may deploy up to 250 Georgia National Guard troops if needed for preparation, response, and recovery efforts.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for 128 counties from Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning, covering all of South Georgia, most of Central Georgia, and Metro Atlanta along the I-85 Corridor.

Areas under the watch can expect up to 2 inches of snow accumulation between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Much of South Georgia could see up to one-tenth of an inch of ice from freezing rain, with up to one-quarter of an inch possible in far Southeast Georgia.

On Wednesday morning, low temperatures will drop to the teens across North and Central Georgia and the 20s in South Georgia, with any precipitation likely to remain through at least Wednesday.

Afternoon highs will only reach the mid-to-upper 30s, and anything that does not melt and is dry on Wednesday will refreeze on Thursday morning as temperatures fall to the upper teens to the lower 20s.

Thursday’s afternoon highs are expected to reach the lower 40s, which should melt and dry much of what remains on the ground.

What they’re saying:

Gov. Kemp explained his decision in a press release on Monday.

“Before the full force of the incoming winter weather arrives, many Georgians are already experiencing dangerously low temperatures ahead of expected freezing precipitation on Tuesday,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Throughout the weekend, I have been working with our state agencies to ensure we’re prepared, and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has been treating roadways since Sunday morning. They, along with our emergency management and public safety teams, will be working throughout this winter storm. As we continue to coordinate with state and local officials throughout the state, I urge everyone to make their own preparations to ensure they and their families can remain safe over the coming days, especially if road conditions prevent travel.”

Dig deeper:

Additionally, the State of Emergency prohibits price gouging; suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in response activities; and temporarily increases weight, height, and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies.

According to Kemp, state offices in the City of Atlanta, including the State Capitol and surrounding area, will be closed Tuesday, and employees will work remotely. Agency officials also have discretion to close offices outside of Atlanta and instruct those employees to also work remotely for their safety. That discretion extends into Wednesday and possibly Thursday. 

SEE MORE: Georgia snow, ice, freezing temperatures: GDOT treats roads before winter weather hits

Weather in Atlanta today: Storm Alert Day

What we know:

The FOX 5 Storm Team declared Tuesday a Storm Alert Day for the threat of snow in metro Atlanta and North Georgia late last week. FOX 5 Storm Alert Days are rare and are only issued when serious weather is approaching north Georgia. Prior to last week, the last time one was declared was when Hurricane Helene moved through Georgia in September. 

A significant winter weather system is set to impact the Atlanta metro area and parts of Georgia, with cold temperatures and snow expected over the next few days, according to FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist Jonathan Stacey. “The cold air is firmly afoot and we will likely not rise above freezing at this point for the next 36 to 48 hours,” Stacey said. “Then add on top of that the incoming of winter weather.”

Big picture view:

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the entire Atlanta metro area, while a winter storm warning has been issued for counties in Middle Georgia, shaded in pink on weather maps. “It will be those southernmost communities across North Georgia going into Middle Georgia that actually face the brunt of the winter weather,” Stacey noted.

Local perspective:

Residents north of the I-85 corridor and to the west can expect minimal snowfall, with flurries likely in some neighborhoods, particularly in Cobb, Paulding, and Carroll counties. However, areas south and east of the metro are expected to see some accumulation, with up to an inch of snow possible. Middle Georgia and areas eastward could see higher amounts, with up to two or even three inches in isolated cases, especially on Tuesday afternoon.

“This system, unlike the one that we had about a week and a half ago, will not be bringing us a mix of sleet and freezing rain. It is going to pretty much be an all-snow maker,” Stacey explained. Despite the absence of ice, any snow that melts will refreeze due to persistent sub-freezing temperatures.

What time is it going to snow today?

Timeline:

Snow showers are anticipated to begin sneaking in from Troop County to southern portions of Putnam and Jasper counties by 2 p.m. “Once again, mainly to the south and east of the I-85 corridor,” Stacey noted. Counties like Spalding and Lamar are expected to see bouts of snow during the afternoon hours.

The heaviest snowfall is expected between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., with areas like Upson County potentially receiving more than an inch, and Eatonton around an inch. Closer to the metro area, accumulations are expected to be a dusting or coating at best.

What we don’t know:

A winter storm is set to impact North Georgia, with the I-85 corridor serving as a general dividing line for snowfall.

“It looks to be a general dividing line of I-85,” Stacey said. “As we walk you through the next 24-hour period, that will feature winter weather for a great deal of North Georgia, but possibly at this point, not all of North Georgia.”

“Could that shield of snow actually edge into the metro area and pass the I-85 corridor going to the north and to the west? It certainly could,” Stacey said. However, the highest snow accumulations are expected to be to the south and east of the city.

What’s next:

Behind the snow, frigid air will persist, with wind chills feeling like 11°F in Carrollton and 5°F in Ellijay by Wednesday morning. “We won’t shake the chill at any point in time,” Stacey warned, with single-digit wind chills expected across the area.

The FOX 5 Storm Team is tracking multiple watches, warnings, and advisories across the state. Here is a breakdown:

Cold Weather advisory for metro Atlanta, north Georgia

What we know:

A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Chattooga, Gordon, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Banks, Jackson, Madison, Polk, Paulding, Cobb, North Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Haralson, Carroll, Douglas, South Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Walton, Newton, Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Heard, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, Spalding, Henry, Butts, Jasper, Putnam, Hancock, Warren, Troup, Meriwether, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Glascock, Jefferson, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Crawford, Bibb, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Johnson, Emanuel, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Laurens, Treutlen, Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Dooly, Crisp, Pulaski, Wilcox, Dodge, Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery, and Toombs counties.

Timeline:

This is in effect from 10 p.m. on Monday until 9 a.m. on Tuesday and again from 10 p.m. on Tuesday until 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

By the numbers:

Monday, the FOX 5 Storm Team advises residents to brave for very cold wind chills as low as 2 above expected for the higher elevations of north Georgia, as low as 10 above along the I-20 corridor, and as low as 15 above elsewhere.

Tuesday night, again, there will be very cold wind chills 2-10 above expected north of I-20 and between 10-15 above south of I-20.

Winter Weather Advisory for metro Atlanta, portion of north Georgia

What we know:

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Forsyth, Hall, Banks, Jackson, Madison, Paulding, Cobb, North Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Carroll, Douglas, South Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Walton, Newton, Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Heard, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, Spalding, Henry, Butts, Jasper, Putnam, Hancock, Warren, Troup, Meriwether, Pike, Lamar, and Glascock counties

Timeline:

This will be in effect from 10 a.m. on Tuesday to 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

What’s next:

Snow is possible for residents in this area with accumulations anywhere between one and two inches. Local amounts could be higher.

Winter Storm Warning across Middle and southern Georgia

What we know:

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Upson, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Jefferson, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Crawford, Bibb, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Johnson, Emanuel, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Laurens, Treutlen, Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Dooly, Crisp, Pulaski, Wilcox, Dodge, Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery, and Toombs counties

Timeline:

This will be in effect from 10 a.m. on Tuesday to 7 a.m. on Wednesday. 

What’s next:

Residents who live in this area will see heavy snowfall and some wintry mix. The total snow accumulations could be up to two inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze.

 

Atlanta winter weather: Read these before it snows

Flight cancelations at Atlanta airport

Dozens of flights have already been canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Tuesday’s winter storm.

As of Tuesday morning, 55 flights have been canceled and 70 have been delayed at the world’s busiest airport.

What you can do:

Several airlines are allowing travelers to change or reschedule flights for free due to the weather.

Delta Air Lines is offering free rebookings for passengers who book their trip in the same cabin of service by Friday. After Friday, there may be an additional charge due to differences in fares. Customers can also cancel their ticket and use the unused value to buy another ticket for up to a year from the original ticket purchase.   

United Airlines. Southwest, and Frontier are also letting travelers rebook for free. 

Atlanta winter weather closings

Businesses and schools have started to announce closings.

Zoo Atlanta delayed their opening until noon Monday because of the extreme cold.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has already announced that both of its locations in midtown and Gainesville will be closed on Tuesday. 

RELATED 

After the winter storm that hit metro Atlanta and North Georgia at the beginning of January, some schools were closed or operating virtually for an entire week. Many churches canceled Sunday service due to the leftover inclement weather.

The FOX 5 Storm Team will keep an eye on the development of this current cold snap. If there are any closings or delays reported for schools, churches or government buildings, they will be automatically listed here.

What you can do:

Georgia residents should monitor the FOX 5 Storm Team’s weather updates for changes in the forecast, especially regarding the timing and impact of the expected snow and cold temperatures. Keep up with the latest by downloading the FREE FOX 5 Storm Team app and following @FOX5StormTeam on X.

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