Georgia Winter Storm Watch | Crippling ice storm's timing, intensity: 'This is no joke'
Georgia braces for destructive weekend ice storm
As a powerful winter storm approaches, Georgia is bracing for potentially destructive ice accumulations and widespread travel disruptions. Governor Kemp has declared a state of emergency for all 159 counties, activating the State Operations Center and mobilizing the National Guard as meteorologists warn of a long-duration event that could leave residents without power for two to three days.
ATLANTA - Residents across North Georgia and the metro area are bracing for a potentially "crippling" ice storm this weekend that forecasters warn could paralyze travel and knock out power for days.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch as a powerful arctic high-pressure system prepares to collide with moisture moving into the region. Meteorologists expect freezing rain to be the primary hazard, with significant ice accumulations likely to begin Saturday afternoon and persist through Sunday.
Georgia Winter Storm Watch
What we know:
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for a massive portion of the state. Forecasters warn of significant icing with total accumulations of around four-tenths of an inch possible, though some mountainous areas could see even higher totals.
Affected Counties:
- Northern Georgia (Watch starts 1 a.m. Saturday): 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, and Gwinnett.
- Metro Atlanta and Central Georgia (Watch starts 1 p.m. Saturday): Haralson, Carroll, Douglas, South Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Walton, Newton, Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, Spalding, Henry, Butts, Jasper, Putnam, Hancock, Warren, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Glascock, and Jefferson.
The FOX 5 Storm Team issued Storm Alert Days for Saturday and Sunday.
‘Major ice storm’ threatens North Georgia
What they're saying:
The FOX 5 Storm Team is urging residents to take the threat seriously. FOX 5 Storm Team chief meteorologist David Chandley characterized the system as a major event.
"We’ve got a major ice storm for some in North Georgia. This is no joke," Chandley said. "If you have weight on trees and power lines due to the ice, this is just going to make that worse. It’s going to be windy all the way into your Monday."
Meteorologist Alex Forbes warned that the impact will be long-lasting. "Our high-resolution models continue to call for a destructive ice storm," Forbes said. "Please continue to be prepared to lose power for several days... Just because liquid rain falls, does not mean all of our problems are solved. Think about how long ice sticks around in a glass of Coke that's 38 degrees."
When will the ice hit?
Timeline:
Conditions will deteriorate as the weekend progresses. Residents are encouraged to complete all storm preparations by Friday night.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers. Temperatures remain above freezing.
- Saturday Morning: Cold air begins "nosing" in from the northeast. Wintry mixes may begin near the Georgia-Tennessee border.
- Saturday Afternoon: Freezing rain begins in Northeast Georgia and spreads into the metro Atlanta area.
- Saturday Night/Sunday Morning: The "main event." Steady freezing rain will cause ice to accrete on trees, power lines, and roads. Temperatures will drop into the 20s.
- Sunday Afternoon: A second wave of moisture arrives. While some areas may see a transition to rain, northeast of Atlanta is likely to remain frozen.
- Monday Morning: Precipitation tapers off, but dangerously cold air arrives.
PREPARE FOR THE STORM by knowing the different terms the FOX 5 storm team will use while forecasting
How much ice will we see?
Local perspective:
The heaviest impacts are expected along an arc from the northern suburbs of Atlanta through Athens and into the mountains.
In these regions, ice totals could reach between a quarter-inch and a half-inch on horizontal surfaces. In the Northeast Georgia mountains, some models suggest totals could approach a full inch. While the "warm nose" of air might bring liquid rain to southern counties, the ground in North Georgia will likely remain a "deep freeze," causing rain to freeze instantly on contact.
What is a ‘cold air damming’ wedge?
Big picture view:
Data from the National Weather Service indicates a "remarkable warm nose" of air aloft, sitting over surface temperatures at or below freezing. This specific setup is the classic recipe for freezing rain rather than snow.
A 1040+ mb arctic high-pressure system to the northeast is creating a "cold air damming" wedge. This wedge acts as a dome of cold air hugged against the mountains; as moisture falls into it, evaporative cooling reinforces the cold, making the wedge difficult to break. Recent European and American models have converged on a solution that points toward a major icing event for North Georgia.
Potentially ‘crippling’ ice storm
Why you should care:
This is not just a "snow day" for the kids; it is a significant infrastructure threat.
- Power Outages: The combination of a half-inch of ice and wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph is a recipe for widespread, prolonged power outages as tree limbs and lines snap.
- Travel: Roadways are expected to become nearly impossible to navigate by Saturday night.
- Extreme Cold: Following the storm, temperatures will plummet. If you lose power, you may be without heat as temperatures drop into the single digits by Tuesday morning.
How to STAY WARM should you lose power
How cold will it be?
By the numbers:
Metro Atlanta Forecast:
- Friday: High 51 / Low 37 (40% rain)
- Saturday: High 41 / Low 30 (50% rain, shifting to 100% freezing rain at night)
- Sunday: High 45 / Low 21 (100% freezing rain/rain)
North Georgia Mountains Forecast:
- Saturday: High 38 / Low 27 (60% rain/ice)
- Sunday: High 42 / Low 15 (100% freezing rain)
- Monday Night: Lows reaching 5.
How long will the freezing cold stay?
What's next:
The storm departs Monday, but the danger remains. Frigid, unseasonably cold air will move in, meaning any ice that has accumulated will likely stay frozen through Tuesday. Highs on Monday will struggle to reach 30 degrees in many areas. While the sun returns midweek with highs in the 40s by Wednesday, the early part of the week will be defined by a slow thaw and recovery efforts.
When should you be done with preps?
What you can do:
Ahead of the storm, the FOX 5 Storm Team is urging everyone to prepare for the worst. They said all your shopping and home preparations should be done by Saturday at noon.
State and local officials across North Georgia are preparing for a potential winter storm that could bring significant ice and snow beginning Friday night and lasting through the weekend.
What is closed or canceled?
Dig deeper:
FOX 5 has begun receiving closures related to weather. Make sure you stay up-to-date with the latest closures by clicking this link.
The Source: Information in this article came from the FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist and their forecast. It will be updated throughout the day Wednesday with the latest information. The watch report comes from the NWS.