Snow in North Georgia: Arrival timing, accumulation, and sub-zero wind chills

ATLANTA - A wave of frigid air is moving into North Georgia, prompting forecasters to issue a Cold Weather Advisory as temperatures and wind chills are expected to plummet starting early Thursday morning.

Fannin, Union, and Towns counties are under that advisory from 4 a.m. until 10 a.m. Thursday. Residents in cities like Blairsville, Blue Ridge, and Hiawassee should prepare for wind chills ranging from 5 degrees above zero to as low as 2 below zero.

Georgia school closures

Big picture view:

Fannin County Schools will move to a virtual learning day. While school buildings will be closed due to the potential for hazardous road conditions, specific staff members are still expected to report to work. All directors, administrators, and 12-month personnel should report on a two-hour delay schedule "if safe to do so."

District officials noted that flexibility will be provided for those facing technical or personal hurdles. "If students are unable to complete their work, they have three days to make up any assignments," the district stated.

Gilmer County Schools reported a two-hour delay on Thursday.

CHECK CURRENT SCHOOL CLOSINGS, CLASS DELAYS, AND REMOTE LEARNING

Will it snow in Atlanta?

Timeline:

Before the deepest cold settles in, scattered light snow showers are possible across the far north Georgia mountains tonight through the predawn hours of Thursday.

While significant travel impacts are not anticipated, forecasters warned that minor accumulations, a trace to a half inch, are possible at elevations above 2,000 feet. Travelers should be alert for spotty areas of black ice, particularly on secondary and less traveled roads, elevated roadways, and bridges.

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Metro Atlanta’s arctic blast

What we know:

For metro Atlanta, the primary story is the "relationship with subfreezing temperatures." By midnight Wednesday, wind chills are expected to drop into the teens, falling further into the single digits for some northern suburbs by 7 a.m. Thursday.

"The thing that everybody’s going to notice though is the wind chills," Forbes said. "We don’t really rebound much through the afternoon, only into the 20s in terms of what it feels like outside."

Thursday's high in Atlanta is forecast to reach only 38 degrees, though breezy northwest winds will keep the "feels like" temperature much lower.

Another chance of snow this week

What's next:

The FOX 5 Storm Team indicates that moisture is limited with this system, which will prevent widespread accumulation. Another brief wintry mix is possible in the mountains late Friday into Saturday morning, but forecasters say the likelihood of significant impact remains low.

SEE MORE: Georgia snow threat | Models hint at weekend winter weather

Where to find warming centers

Local perspective:

As temperatures are forecast to plummet, several local governments and organizations have activated warming centers across the region to provide overnight relief.

Atlanta

• Central Park Recreation Center: 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308.
• Selena S. Butler Park and Recreation Center: 98 William Holmes Borders Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 (Women and children only).
• Old Adamsville Recreation Center: 3404 Delmar Ln. NW, Atlanta, GA 30331.

Details: Centers are open from 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12 through 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13. Transportation is available from the Gateway Center starting at 8 p.m.

Cobb County

• MUST Ministries Hope House: 1297 Bells Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA 30066.

Details: Open Jan. 14–15 for men, women, and children. Clients are asked to report by 8 p.m.

DeKalb County

• Exchange Park Intergenerational Center: 2771 Columbia Dr., Decatur.
• Frontline Response International: 2505 Gresham Rd. SE, Atlanta.
• St. Vincent de Paul: 2000-C Chamblee Tucker Rd., Chamblee.
• Mason Mill Recreation Center: 1340 McConnell Dr., Decatur.

Details: Overnight locations open from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 through Friday, Jan. 16. Select locations (Frontline Response and Exchange Park) will offer 24-hour activation on Jan. 15 and 16.

Gwinnett County

• Five Warming Stations: Locations available throughout the county.

Details: Open Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. when temperatures drop below 35 degrees. Nourishing meals are provided. Residents can call 770.822.8850 or visit GwinnettCounty.com/WarmingStations for specific locations and bus routes.

What you can do:

Here are some things to prepare for now ahead of a winter storm:

• Restock flashlights, batteries, shelf-stable food and necessary prescriptions. Power outages are most common during ice, not snow events.
• Be ready to lose internet and cell service temporarily, especially in heavily wooded areas that have seen damage during past storms.
• Insulate outdoor pipes and know where your main water shutoff valve is. Frozen plumbing problems tend to spike in January and February.
• Check generators, fireplaces and space heaters now, and make sure all are properly vented. Never run generators indoors or in enclosed spaces to avoid carbon monoxide exposure.
• Get notifications directly to your phone by downloading the FOX 5 Storm Team weather app and enabling location and notification settings.
• Bookmark the FOX 5 Atlanta closings page for the latest in school, business, and church closings and cancellations. If you are an administrator of one such organization, make sure to reach out now to ensure you are eligible and registered.
• Bring pets inside during freezing nights and make sure outdoor animals have fresh, unfrozen water and shelter.
• Put together a basic car kit that includes blankets, phone chargers, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction, and snacks.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries so they are ready for increased use of heaters, fireplaces and generators.
• Check on elderly neighbors, people with disabilities and anyone who relies on powered medical equipment so you have a plan to help them if there are outages or travel issues.

Winter WeatherAtlanta