Bracing for The Big Chill: Atlanta’s Extreme Cold Warning and the Looming Possibility of Snow

In a first for North Georgia, an extreme cold warning has been issued. Brace yourselves, Atlanta, as arctic air sweeps over the area, bringing with it freezing temperatures, gusty winds, and the possibility of snowfall in some areas. Residents are urged to take precautionary measures as wind chills could plummet between -5 and 10 degrees, and highs are expected to barely rise above freezing.

The extreme cold warning is in effect until noon today, underlining the severity of the weather conditions. The cold, however, is just the opening act. As we move into tomorrow, the city could potentially see up to two inches of snow. While it may not seem like a significant amount, even an inch of snow can lead to precarious road conditions and cause havoc, especially in areas not equipped to handle it.

Throughout today, despite the frigid temperatures, the skies are expected to remain mostly clear, offering a deceptive sunshine. However, don’t be fooled. The wind gusts of 20-25 mph will ensure that it feels much colder than what the thermometer indicates. Indeed, the wind chill factor will make it a struggle to feel warmer than the teens to mid-20s.

Tomorrow, the day is expected to begin cloudy and cold with temperatures wavering in the teens to low 20s. As the day progresses, a Winter Storm Watch will kick into effect. This points toward a potential snowfall of up to two inches, including in Atlanta. However, predictions suggest that Atlanta and areas north are unlikely to see even an inch of snow. Instead, it’s the southern areas that are expected to bear the brunt of the snowfall.

According to the latest updates, Tuesday morning will start dry. The peaceful pause, however, will be brief. Snow showers are expected to start creeping in from the south around 2pm, reaching Metro Atlanta between 4-6pm. Most of the snow setup will be south of I-85, but Metro Atlanta won’t be entirely spared. A brief period of snow showers is expected even as far north as Metro Atlanta. Central Georgia may continue to see snow showers as late as 8 pm before the weather begins to clear out for the night.

Given these conditions, residents are strongly advised to plan their day well in advance to avoid encountering snowy roads, particularly those residing south of Atlanta. As always, safety should be the top priority. While the city of Atlanta is expected to receive less than an inch of snow, the highest snowfall is predicted in the southern counties.

Looking ahead, the icy grip of winter doesn’t seem to be loosening anytime soon. The rest of the week is expected to remain cold, with lows in the teens to 20s and highs hovering in the upper 30s to near 40. However, a slight respite is in sight; temperatures are expected to climb into the 50s by the end of the week, with a few showers possible by Sunday.

As we navigate through this extreme weather, useful resources such as the Georgia Power Outage Map, Live Weather Radar, Live Weather Cameras, and information about School and Business Closings & Delays can provide vital information. Stay warm, stay safe, and remember, spring is just around the corner!