Will it snow again in Atlanta? Extreme Cold Warning declared for MLK Day in Georgia

ATLANTA – Dozens of Georgia counties are under an extreme cold warning, among a number of other issued winter weather-related alerts on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with temperatures expected to dip into the teens and wind chills in the single digits in some parts of the state.

What we know:

The FOX 5 Storm Team is declaring Tuesday a Storm Alert Day for the threat of snow in metro Atlanta and North Georgia.

Unlike last week’s event, we expect predominantly snow in North Georgia with the freezing line well to our south. That means the snow will stick almost immediately after beginning Tuesday afternoon. 

The biggest question mark that remains is how far north the precipitation will come. As we see it now, metro Atlanta will be close to the edge with the possibility of northwest Georgia being left out. It’s important to note that not everyone will see snow. 

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

Accumulation amounts will range from zero to a couple of inches with the higher totals south of I-20 and into middle Georgia. Snow will finish falling early Wednesday morning. 

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. 

Atlanta residents spent their Saturday with mild weather. Temperatures hovered around 57 degrees during the day, and there were some isolated rain showers. That’s why an extreme cold watch issued earlier that morning took many people by surprise.

According to the National Weather Service, “an Extreme Cold Watch is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are possible. As with a warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit.” That watch was updated to an extreme cold warning by Sunday.

The warning, which ends on Monday at noon, was issued for: Haralson County, Walker County, Hall County, Whitfield County, Pickens County, Douglas County, Gilmer County, Chattooga County, Towns County, South Fulton County, Murray County, Catoosa County, Bartow County, North Fulton County, Gordon County, Polk County, Dade County, Carroll County, DeKalb County, Cobb County, Dawson County, Fannin County, Union County, Gwinnett County, Paulding County, Lumpkin County, Forsyth County, Cherokee County, Floyd County, White County.

The following areas are under a cold weather advisory until 11 a.m. on Monday: Clayton County, Banks County, Pike County, Barrow County, Fayette County, Lamar County, Jackson County, Oglethorpe County, Heard County, Coweta County, Henry County, Butts County, Walton County, Madison County, Troup County, Spalding County, Jasper County, Upson County, Morgan County, Rockdale County, Putnam County, Clarke County, Newton County, Meriwether County, Oconee County, Greene County. The advisory ends at noon for Rabun, Franklin, Stephens and Habersham counties.

That arctic air is expected to bring not only colder temperatures, but potential snowfall as well.

The following areas are under a winter storm watch until 7 a.m. on Wednesday: Barrow County, Oglethorpe County, Putnam County, Newton County, Coweta County, South Fulton County, Walton County, Spalding County, Troup County, Forsyth County, DeKalb County, Morgan County, Heard County, Upson County, North Fulton County, Cobb County, Rockdale County, Jackson County, Douglas County, Banks County, Clarke County, Jasper County, Meriwether County, Fayette County, Butts County, Oconee County, Clayton County, Gwinnett County, Carroll County, Madison County, Pike County, Greene County, Henry County, Hall County, Paulding County, Lamar County.

Will it snow in Georgia in 2025 again?

Timeline:

• Sunday: Temperatures will drop throughout the day. Cloudy skies and very light snowfall, if any, are anticipated in the northeast, potentially reaching areas like Canton and Dallas. The Georgia Department of Transportation announced that brine trucks would begin hitting the interstate and state routes at 7 a.m. on Sunday to prepare for the inclement weather.

• Sunday night into Monday: Expect dangerously low wind chills, potentially as low as zero degrees, with an extreme cold watch in effect for Metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
• Monday: Conditions will be sunny but very cold and windy, with highs near freezing and lows in the teens.
• Tuesday: A wintry mix and potential snowfall are expected. One weather forecast model suggests snow will likely move in from the west by Tuesday evening, affecting areas south of metro Atlanta and extending into South Georgia. Meanwhile, another model suggests an earlier arrival of snow by Tuesday afternoon, with more significant snowfall in North Georgia.

Local perspective:

Residents should prepare for extreme cold and potential snow, particularly on Tuesday, with cold weather alerts in place.

Atlanta winter weather: Read these before it snows

Atlanta winter weather closings

Snowfall totals could reach up to an inch in Atlanta, with higher amounts expected further south. That could affect any plans to go out during Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, or to attend the College Football Playoff Championship game.

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.

This is a developing weather system. Check back for updates and changes to the forecast as they become available. 

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