This morning’s snow has made its way out of metro Atlanta, but not before causing major headaches for drivers in North Georgia.
Many roads remain closed in areas that saw the most snowfall Saturday morning as police responded to dozens of wrecks on icy streets.
In Cumming, some drivers had to walk home after losing control and sliding off the roadway.
Credit: Courtesy of Ben Hendren
Credit: Courtesy of Ben Hendren
And in Lumpkin County, the sheriff’s office said many drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles in the street after getting stuck or crashing.
RELATED: Photos from Saturday's snow in the region
Some parts of North Georgia saw as much as 6 inches of snowfall Saturday morning, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
As temperatures warmed up, the snow is tapered off in most metro counties, Channel 2 meteorologist Glenn Burns said.
Northern Gwinnett County received more than 2 inches while some Atlanta residents saw an inch or more, Burns said.
Snow started falling in Midtown about 9:15 a.m.
“In the far North Georgia mountains, the snow should continue for another hour or so and then it’s pretty much done,” Burns said.
Credit: AJC Staff
Credit: AJC Staff
The icy roads prompted Georgia Department of Transportation officials to encourage drivers to stay home if possible.
RELATED: GDOT: Stay home if you can as snow continues
GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale said road conditions are generally fine in metro Atlanta, but they get more treacherous as you go farther North.
In Dawson County, both sides of Ga. 53 are shut down as crews work to clear cars that got stuck in the ice and snow, Channel 2 reported.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The National Weather Service has a winter weather advisory in place for more that two dozen counties, including Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Gwinnett, North Fulton and Paulding.
A winter storm warning was also issued Saturday morning for the counties that received even more snowfall.
The warning is in effect until 7 p.m. and includes Pickens, Towns, White, Lumpkin, Union, Gilmer, Cherokee, Forsyth, Fannin, Hall and Dawson counties, Channel 2 reported.
Credit: AJC Staff
Credit: AJC Staff
The region is still dealing with the effects of the last storm system, which dumped inches of rain over metro Atlanta and dropped temperatures an average of 25 degrees in the span of 24 hours.
“Basically, the bigger the temperature drop, the stronger the storms, and that’s what we had (Thursday),” Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said. “ ... At least that threat is done, but now those colder temperatures will remain in play today.”
Temperatures should remain above freezing in metro Atlanta today, but Walls said even lower temperatures higher in the atmosphere are what matters with wintry precipitation. The projected afternoon high is 49 degrees.
The mountains will see the bulk of the travel concerns Saturday as snowfall makes roads slick, according to Channel 2. Georgia Department of Transportation crews treated interstates and heavily traveled roads overnight, but drivers are advised to use caution if they’re heading out.
The wintry weather has forced authorities to close some metro Atlanta roads in areas heavily affected by the snow.
In Cherokee County, East Cherokee Drive is shut down at Ga. 5 and Cumming Highway, the sheriff’s office said.
Cherokee deputies also said the county’s road crews are having a tough time treating certain areas because residents are abandoning their cars in the middle of the road.
Some roads won’t be drivable at all this weekend, but not because of the weather. GDOT has several projects planned that will affect traffic in Cobb County and near the Atlanta airport.
The Camp Creek Parkway bridge that goes over I-285 will close from 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday for crews to install a new diverging diamond intersection. A detour will be set up, but drivers are advised to avoid the area.
MORE: Camp Creek Parkway bridge to close for traffic diamond installation
Portions of I-75 and I-285 will also be closed for various construction projects, GDOT said.
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» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
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