Parts of North Georgia were blanketed in snow and wintry mix early Monday morning as temperatures plunged into the 30s.
Most of the winter weather should come to an end by sunrise, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan. By the time all is said and done, parts of metro Atlanta could collect a dusting of snow, while accumulations in the higher elevations of the northeast Georgia mountains could amount to 2 to 3 inches.
“By about daybreak, this should all be winding down, and we are quickly going to clear out today as the low pressure that drove this system moves away,” Monahan said. “It’s going to leave all the cold air in its wake, but it’s going to move away and give us some sunshine for the afternoon.”
A winter storm warning is in effect for the mountain counties until 9 a.m. as wet snow continues to fall. The National Weather Service is expecting heavy snow accumulations and slippery road conditions that could could make travel dangerous.
Parts of west Georgia — including Cherokee, Cobb, Paulding and Douglas counties — are under a winter weather advisory until 9 a.m. Lighter accumulations are expected there, but there could still be travel impacts, according to the Weather Service.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Monahan said snow in most of the western counties has already begun clearing out at 6:30 a.m. A warm December is working in North Georgia’s favor, he said.
“The ground is so warm, and pavement temperatures are so warm, still in the 30s and 40s,” he said. “That’s why most of this snow that is falling has hit the concrete and melted on contact. We’re not having any big travel issues because of the snow, the wintry mix that is falling.”
While the snow is not expected to stick around, the cold air is settling in. According to Monahan, temperatures will only reach the mid-40s this afternoon in Atlanta, about 30 degrees below Sunday’s record-setting high of 73 degrees.
Wind should be a factor until about midday, which makes it feel even colder outside, he said. Wind chills in the upper 20s are forecast through lunchtime. A wind advisory remains in place until noon, and sustained winds up to 25 mph and gusts up to 45 mph are possible, according to the Weather Service.
Overnight, gusts up to 44 mph were recorded, rattling limbs and downing trees all across the region.
“Some perspective on that: That is tropical storm force wind out there,” Monahan said.
More than 100,000 Georgia Power customers are starting Monday in the dark. Another 74,000 Georgia Electric Membership Cooperative members are without power across the state, with more than 17,000 of those in metro Atlanta.
Additional power outages are possible through the morning as high winds continue, Monahan said.
Monday should be the only day this week for winter weather. According to the latest forecast, Tuesday will be cold but sunny with a projected high of 49 degrees after another freezing start. Warmer weather is in store Wednesday ahead of North Georgia’s next chance of rain late Thursday.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
While there are no wintry impacts to interstates Monday, tree debris and gusting wind could impact the morning commute. Monahan is recommending motorists wait until midmorning before venturing out to avoid hitting any downed limbs in the dark.
Volume is starting to increase at 6:30 a.m., but there are no major delays in metro Atlanta, according to WSB traffic reporter Mike Shields.
“Keep your hands on the steering wheel,” he said. “That wind is whipping. That’s going to shake your car as you move through the interstates, especially passing other vehicles.”
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.
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