If you live in North Georgia, get ready for some messy winter weather over the next couple of days. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from late Tuesday night through early Thursday morning, with a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain expected in some areas.
This isn’t a massive winter storm, but don’t let that fool you—even a little ice can cause big problems on the roads. If you have to drive, be extra careful, especially Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
What’s Happening Right Now?
Right now, it’s just cold and dry, but that won’t last for long. Here’s where temperatures stand as of this morning:
- Atlanta: 32°F, mostly sunny
- Gainesville: 33°F, mostly sunny
- Blairsville: 23°F, partly sunny
- Rome: 31°F, partly sunny
- Athens: 33°F, mostly sunny
It might feel chilly now, but by Wednesday, cold air and moisture will combine to bring snow and ice to parts of North Georgia.
When Will the Weather Get Bad?
Wednesday (Feb. 19)
- Morning: Light rain starts moving in across northern and central Georgia. In the mountains, a mix of snow and sleet could begin early.
- Afternoon: Rain continues, but in higher elevations like Blairsville and parts of northern Hall County, temperatures may drop just enough for snow and freezing rain to develop.
- Evening: Road conditions could become dangerous as temperatures fall below freezing, turning wet roads into ice-covered hazards.
Thursday (Feb. 20)
- Overnight: Any leftover moisture refreezes, creating a serious black ice threat.
- Morning: Expect a very slick commute, with icy patches on roads, bridges, and overpasses.
- Afternoon: The sun comes out, but temperatures stay below freezing, keeping icy spots around into the evening.
How Much Snow & Ice Are We Talking About?
This won’t be a snowstorm, but here’s what’s expected:
- Atlanta: Cold rain, but a few icy spots possible overnight.
- Gainesville: Light rain and a thin layer of ice possible, especially on bridges.
- Blairsville: 1 to 2 inches of snow, with sleet and freezing rain mixed in. This area will see the worst road conditions.
- Rome: Mostly rain, but patchy ice could form overnight.
- Athens: Cold rain turning to freezing drizzle, with a light glaze of ice possible on untreated roads.
Even though snow totals aren’t impressive, ice is a much bigger concern—even a small amount can shut down roads and cause power outages.
Biggest Concerns: What You Need to Watch For
Dangerous Roads & Black Ice – A thin layer of ice can make roads incredibly slippery, especially on bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads.
Possible Power Outages – Ice buildup on trees and power lines could cause scattered outages, especially in higher elevations.
Bitter Cold – Temperatures stay below freezing Thursday morning, meaning any melted snow or rain will refreeze into slick black ice.
Weather Alerts & Warnings
Winter Weather Advisory – In effect from late Tuesday night through Thursday morning for north and northwest Georgia. Expect snow, sleet, and freezing rain, which could lead to icy roads.
Black Ice Warning – Thursday morning will be especially dangerous as any moisture refreezes into nearly invisible ice patches.
How to Stay Safe
Limit Travel If Possible – If you can stay off the roads Wednesday night and Thursday morning, do it. That’s when conditions will be the worst.
Prepare for Power Outages – Ice can bring down power lines, so have flashlights, blankets, and phone chargers ready just in case.
Stock Up on Essentials – Grab groceries, water, and medications before the storm arrives so you don’t have to go out in bad weather.
Check on Family & Neighbors – Make sure elderly relatives and friends have heat and supplies in case power goes out.
Watch for Black Ice – Just because a road looks clear doesn’t mean it’s safe. Ice will be nearly invisible Thursday morning.
This isn’t the kind of winter storm that buries the roads in snow, but it is sneaky. A mix of rain, snow, and ice will make travel dangerous, especially Wednesday night into Thursday morning. If you don’t have to drive, stay put. If you do, slow down and be extra careful.
