Metro Atlantans woke up to another bitter cold morning Wednesday, a day after Arctic air blew snow flurries across the higher elevations of North Georgia.
Temperatures were in the 20s ahead of sunrise. We should get a slight reprieve from the cold by this afternoon as highs climb into the low 50s, but another shot of extremely cold air arrives Thursday and Friday nights, when lows will again dip into the 20s.
“This is our first cold week of the year, of the season,” Atlanta police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a recent news conference, during which city officials outlined plans to keep residents and roads safe this coming winter.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
They urged motorists to drive carefully and not to leave cars running and unlocked as they warm up vehicles.
“It’s the coldest it’s been since January,” Channel 2 Action News Brian Monahan said.
On Tuesday, the snow flurries didn’t make it to metro Atlanta despite morning temperatures being at or below freezing. But in the Blue Ridge Mountains, flurries swarmed the dark, predawn sky, leaving a light powdering of snow.
It was so cold, schools in Union and Fannin counties delayed opening for two hours. Closer to the city, Tuesday morning temperatures stayed in the 30s, but the wind chill made it feel more like the 20s, Monahan said. Actual air temperatures Wednesday were in the 20s.
Temperatures across the area are running about 10 to 20 degrees below the average 59-degree high for this time of year, according to the NWS. Wednesday’s high is expected to stay in the low 50s in Atlanta, which is still about 10 degrees higher than Tuesday.
Several warming centers opened across the metro area earlier this week to help those without shelter make it through the frigid conditions.
Mayor Andre Dickens, addressing reporters Monday at Lenox Square, said the Atlanta warming centers are low-barrier shelters with separate spaces for men, women and children. Each will serve meals and have resources available to anyone who shows up.
The city will deploy brine trucks to combat plummeting road surface temperatures, said Atlanta Department of Transportation Commissioner Solomon Caviness. He urged drivers to slow down in freezing conditions and said his crews would do their best to keep streets clear.
Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is also the busy season for Atlanta Fire Rescue Chief Rod Smith, who cautioned city residents about fire safety. “We really don’t want to have to come to your home,” Smith said.
He advised anyone with a real Christmas tree to make sure it is regularly watered to remain hydrated and to check all lights to ensure there are no frayed wires or broken bulbs. He urged residents to have their fireplaces inspected and to check their smoke detectors.
By Thursday, highs should be back in the mid 50s before dropping again to finish out the week.
Credit: WSBTV Videos
