What time will it snow today? Kemp issues state of emergency ahead of winter storm

ATLANTA – Governor Brian Kemp has declared a Standby mode effective immediately in preparation for freezing temperatures and wintry weather expected to affect Georgia on Tuesday.

The FOX 5 Storm Team has declared Tuesday a Storm Alert Day. Pay attention to the weather.

State of emergency in Georgia

What we know:

The emergency response order authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize all necessary resources to manage potential impacts.

Timeline:

The state of emergency runs until next Tuesday, January 28.

By the numbers:

Here’s why the governor declared a state of emergency:

The Georgia Department of Defense can deploy up to 250 Georgia National Guard troops as needed for preparation, response and recovery.

A winter storm watch is in effect for 128 counties from Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning, covering all of South Georgia, most of Central Georgia and Metro Atlanta along the I-85 corridor.

Areas under the watch can expect up to 2 inches of snow accumulation between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Much of South Georgia could see up to a tenth of an inch of ice from freezing rain, with up to a quarter of an inch possible in far southeast Georgia.

Wednesday morning, low temperatures will drop into the twenties across north and central Georgia and the 20s in south Georgia, where precipitation is likely to remain through at least Wednesday.

Afternoon highs will only reach the mid to upper 30s, and anything that doesn’t melt and is dry by Wednesday will refreeze by Thursday morning as temperatures drop into the upper teens to lower 20s.

Thursday afternoon highs are expected to reach the lower 40s, which should melt and dry much of what’s left on the ground.

What they say:

Governor Kemp explained his decision in a press release on Monday.

“Before the full force of incoming winter weather arrives, many Georgians are already experiencing dangerously low temperatures ahead of expected freezing precipitation on Tuesday,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “Throughout the weekend, I have been working with our state agencies to ensure we are prepared, and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has been treating roadways since Sunday morning. They, along with our emergency management and public safety teams, will work through this winter storm while we As we continue to coordinate with state and local officials across the state, I encourage everyone to make their own preparations to ensure they and their families can stay safe in the coming days, especially if road conditions prevent travel. “

Dig deeper:

In addition, the state of emergency prohibits price gouging; suspends restrictions on hours of operation for commercial vehicle operators engaged in response activities; and temporarily increases weight, height and length limits for commercial vehicles carrying essential supplies.

According to Kemp, state offices in the city of Atlanta, including the State Capitol and the surrounding area, will be closed Tuesday and employees will work remotely. Agency officials also have discretion to close offices outside of Atlanta and instruct those employees to also work remotely for their safety. That estimate extends to Wednesday and possibly Thursday.

SEE MORE: Georgia snow, ice, freezing temperatures: GDOT treats roads before winter weather hits

Weather in Atlanta Today: Storm Alert Day

What we know:

The FOX 5 Storm Team declared a Storm Alert Day Tuesday for the threat of snow in metro Atlanta and North Georgia late last week. FOX 5 Storm Alert Days are rare and are only issued when severe weather is approaching North Georgia. Before last week, the last time one was declared was when Hurricane Helene moved through Georgia in September.

A significant winter weather system is set to affect the Atlanta metro area and parts of Georgia, with cold temperatures and snow expected over the next few days, according to FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist Jonathan Stacey. “The cold air is solidly moving in and we probably won’t get above freezing at this point for the next 36 to 48 hours,” Stacey said. “Then put on top of the incoming winter weather.”

Big picture:

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the entire Atlanta metro area, while a Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Middle Georgia counties, shaded in pink on weather maps. “It will be the southernmost communities across North Georgia going into Middle Georgia that actually face the brunt of the winter weather,” Stacey noted.

Local perspective:

Residents north of the I-85 corridor and to the west can expect minimal snowfall, with showers likely in some neighborhoods, especially in Cobb, Paulding and Carroll counties. However, areas south and east of the metro are expected to see some accumulation, with up to an inch of snow possible. Middle Georgia and areas to the east could see higher amounts, with up to two or even three inches in isolated cases, especially Tuesday afternoon.

“This system, unlike what we had a week and a half ago, is not going to bring us a mix of sleet and freezing rain. It’s going to be pretty much a snow maker,” Stacey explained. Despite the absence of ice, any snow that melts will refreeze due to persistent sub-freezing temperatures.

What time is it going to snow today?

Timeline:

Snow flurries are expected to begin creeping in from Troop County into southern parts of Putnam and Jasper counties by 2:00 p.m. Counties like Spalding and Lamar are expected to see bouts of snow during the afternoon.

The heaviest snowfall is expected between 2 and 8 p.m., with areas like Upson County potentially receiving more than an inch, and Eatonton about an inch. Closer to the metro area, accumulations are expected to be dusting or coating at best.

What we don’t know:

A winter storm will hit North Georgia, where the I-85 corridor serves as a general dividing line for snowfall.

“It seems to be a general dividing line for I-85,” Stacey said. “As we take you through the next 24-hour period, it will bring wintry weather for much of North Georgia, but possibly not all of North Georgia at this point.”

“Could that snow shield actually edge into the metro area and pass the I-85 corridor going north and west? It certainly could,” Stacey said. However, the highest snow accumulations are expected to be south and east of the city.

What’s next:

Behind the snow, the cold air will continue, with chills feeling like 11°F in Carrollton and 5°F in Ellijay Wednesday morning. “We’re not going to shake the cold anytime soon,” Stacey warned, with single-digit wind chills expected across the area.

The FOX 5 Storm Team is tracking multiple watches, warnings and advisories across the state. Here’s a breakdown:

Cold Weather Advisory for Metro Atlanta, North Georgia

What we know:

A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Chattooga, Gordon, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Banks, Jackson, Madison, Polk, Paulding, Cobb, North Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Haralson, Carroll, Douglas, South Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Walton, Newton, Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Heard, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, Spalding, Henry, Butts, Jasper, Putnam, Hancock, Warren, Troup , Meriwether, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Glascock, Jefferson, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Crawford, Bibb, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Johnson, Emanuel, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Laurens, Treutlen, Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Dooly, Crisp, Pulaski, Wilcox, Dodge, Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery and Toombs counties.

Timeline:

This applies from 22.00 Monday to 9.00 Tuesday and again from 22.00 Tuesday to 9:00 a.m. Wednesday.

By the numbers:

On Monday, the FOX 5 Storm Team advises residents to brace for very cold wind chills as low as 2 above expected for the higher elevations in north Georgia, as low as 10 above along the I-20 corridor and as low as 15 above elsewhere.

Tuesday evening will again have very cold wind chills 2-10 above expected north of I-20 and between 10-15 above south of I-20.

Winter Weather Advisory for metro Atlanta, part of North Georgia

What we know:

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Forsyth, Hall, Banks, Jackson, Madison, Paulding, Cobb, North Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Carroll, Douglas, South Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Walton, Newton, Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Heard, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, Spalding, Henry, Butts, Jasper, Putnam, Hancock, Warren, Troup, Meriwether, Pike, Lamar and Glascock counties

Timeline:

This will apply from 10.00 Tuesday to 7:00 a.m. Wednesday.

What’s next:

Snow is possible for residents in this area with accumulations anywhere between one and two inches. Local amounts may be higher.

Winter storm warning for central and southern Georgia

What we know:

A winter storm warning has been issued for Upson, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Jefferson, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Crawford, Bibb, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Johnson, Emanuel, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Laurens, Treutlen, Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Dooly, Crisp, Pulaski, Wilcox, Dodge, Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery and Toombs counties

Timeline:

This will apply from 10.00 Tuesday to 7:00 a.m. Wednesday.

What’s next:

Residents living in this area will see heavy snowfall and some wintry mix. Total snow accumulations could be up to two inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze.

Atlanta Winter Weather: Read These Before It Snows

Atlanta Winter Weather Closures

Businesses and schools have begun to announce closures.

Zoo Atlanta postponed their opening until Monday noon due to the extreme cold.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has already announced that both its downtown and Gainesville locations will be closed on Tuesday.

RELATED

After the winter storm that hit metro Atlanta and North Georgia in early January, some schools were closed or largely out of action for an entire week. Many churches canceled Sunday services due to the remaining bad weather.

The FOX 5 Storm Team will be watching the progress of this current cold. If closures or delays are reported for schools, churches or public buildings, they will automatically be listed here.

What you can do:

Georgia residents should monitor the FOX 5 Storm Team’s weather updates for changes in the forecast, especially regarding the timing and impact of the expected snow and cold temperatures. Stay up to date with the latest by downloading the FREE FOX 5 Storm Team App and following along @FOX5StormTeam at X.

Winter WeatherGeorgiaInstastoriesNews