Weather

As Georgia prepares for a second round of potential ice, nearly 20,000 customers are without power in the state. 

You see the signs often "bridges ice first," but it's actually most raised surfaces that ice quicker than others. FOX 5's Paul Milliken explains why. 

FOX 5's Paul Milliken walks you through how to measure ice as the winter weather moves through Georgia

A massive winter storm stretching from New York to Houston is currently delivering destructive ice totals to metro Atlanta and Northeast Georgia. FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologists report verified freezing rain in Carrollton and Griffin, with significant ice accumulation threatening to bring down pine trees and cause widespread power outages. While a temporary switch to rain is possible this afternoon, temperatures are expected to plunge into the teens and low 20s tonight, leading to a hazardous refreeze that will keep roads impassable through Monday morning.

A significant ice storm is gripping the region, with freezing rain glazing trees and surfaces as a "wedge" of Arctic air pushes through. While a brief transition to heavy rain is expected, the combination of accumulating ice and 30 mph wind gusts is already causing power outages and treacherous road conditions. Forecasters warn that overnight moisture will refreeze, potentially dropping wind chills into the single digits by Monday morning.

Freezing rain is currently glazing metro Atlanta, with temperatures holding steady at 32°F and creating "shiny" ice on spots like Georgia 400. Meteorologist Alex Forbes warns of a two-wave system: the current morning freezing rain and a more substantial "Wave 2" arriving later this afternoon as a massive winter storm moves in from the west. Significant ice accumulation is already occurring at the airport, while areas further south like Griffin and Carrollton remain on the "transitional cusp" near 33°F.

Freezing rain is currently falling in Midtown and downtown Atlanta as a developing ice storm moves across the region, bringing temperatures down to the freezing mark. Fox 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alex Forbes reports that a surge of arctic air from South Carolina is fueling the system, with significant ice accumulations already being recorded north and east of the city. An Ice Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Monday, as authorities warn that travel could become impossible and power outages are expected to increase through the morning hours.

The metro Atlanta area is currently facing a destructive ice storm as freezing rain transitions from liquid to ice on contact with the ground. Temperatures have plummeted below freezing, driven by a powerful cold air damming (wedge) setup that is pushing arctic air into the region. Forecasters warn that even treated roads will soon become impassable, with ice accumulations of 0.25 to 1 inch expected. This major event, known as Winter Storm Fern, has triggered a State of Emergency as officials prepare for widespread power outages and extreme travel hazards through Monday morning.

A dangerous "wedge" of arctic air has anchored over North Georgia, creating a perfect recipe for a significant ice storm. FOX 5 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist David Chandley reports that freezing rain is already glazing the metro area, with high-risk "bullseye" zones like Helen and White County facing heavy accumulation. With ice adding up to 2,500 pounds to individual trees, residents should prepare for widespread power outages and a deep freeze lasting through Tuesday morning.

Freezing rain is falling across North Georgia with many reporting frozen trees and ice sheets across vehicles. The FOX 5 Storm Team is continuing to track as this winter storm moves in.  

As a dense "wedge" of cold air settles over Northeast Georgia, a dangerous ice storm is beginning to take hold. Meteorologists describe the phenomena as "molasses-like" cold air that sinks into lower levels and stays "entrenched" for a long period.

As a dense wedge of arctic air anchors itself over North Georgia, temperatures in cities like Dahlonega and Cornelia have plummeted into the 20s, signaling the start of significant ice glaze on trees and power lines. FOX 5 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist David Chandley warns that as moisture from the Gulf meets this "wedge," freezing rain will intensify through Sunday morning, keeping the region below the freezing mark well into lunchtime. While a brief afternoon lull may occur, a secondary front is expected to sweep through Sunday night, flash-freezing any residual moisture and dropping Tuesday morning temperatures into the teens

In Northern Gwinnett, temperatures are falling rapidly and are expected to reach the freezing point within the next hour. This temperature drop coincides with precipitation moving into the area, signaling the transition into a major ice storm. Significant ice accumulation between 0.25 and 1 inch is forecast, which is expected to cause widespread power outages and treacherous travel conditions through Monday morning.

Arctic air is surging down the Appalachians, dropping temperatures into the lower 30s and 20s across Northeast Georgia as moisture rolls in. FOX 5 Storm Team Meteorologist David Chandley warns of a "long night" of freezing rain, with high-resolution modeling showing the icy "pink" zones expanding into metro Atlanta by the wee hours. While the South Side may see mostly rain, cities like Gainesville, Athens, and Canton are bracing for a treacherous mess by 5 a.m.

A dangerous weather "wedge" is anchoring over North Georgia, bringing a triple threat of freezing rain, heavy icing, and potential thunderstorms. While the south faces heavy rain, the northern metro suburbs are bracing for significant ice accumulations that will peak during the wee hours of Sunday and persist through the afternoon.

A "destructive" ice storm began moving into North Georgia on Saturday night, with meteorologists warning of heavy icing and power outages through the weekend. While temperatures in Atlanta hovered at 40 degrees early in the evening, the "feels like" temperature had already hit the freezing mark as moisture moved in from the west.