Atlanta prepares for massive winter storm that could bring ice and snow
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Metro Atlanta, north Georgia and much of the southeast are bracing for a massive winter storm that will move into the region as early as Saturday.
Why it matters: Be prepared to hunker down at home for a few days.
Driving the news: Carmen Hernandez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, told Axios the forecast calls for winter weather to begin moving into the area Saturday afternoon.
- The precipitation should taper off by Sunday evening, but with temperatures expected to be cold, "anything on the roads will likely last and not melt until we get into Tuesday" when temperatures are expected to get above freezing, Hernandez said.
Caveat: Forecasters are still working through their predictions, and the numbers could change until the precipitation starts falling.
The latest: NWS has issued a winter storm watch for north Georgia from late Friday evening through Monday morning.
- Up to four inches of snow and sleet and more than a quarter of an inch of ice accumulations are possible.
Threat level: Weather models show the area will most likely experience freezing rain, Hernandez told Axios, but a one- to two-degree shift in the temperature could change that.
- This means ice will accumulate, which could topple trees and cause power outages.
- "We're also recommending [you] stay home if you can and do not try and go out on the road," Hernandez said.
- Alicia Brown, a Georgia Power spokesperson, told Axios the utility is monitoring the storm. Crews will be ready to respond, she said.
What they're saying: Gov. Brian Kemp said in a video posted on X that now is the time to prepare for the weather.
- "Secure food, fill up on gas, and ensure you're prepared for any potential loss of power," he said. "We'll get through this as we have before — carefully and together."
Zoom out: Snow, freezing rain and/or sleet are possible from parts of New Mexico and Texas all the way east to Georgia and north to New England.
- Some of the latest model runs are calling for over a foot of snow in parts of Texas, Tennessee, Georgia and elsewhere.
- Expect travel to be greatly affected, with dangerous driving conditions and flight delays and cancellations.
By the numbers: Nearly 40 million Americans were under a winter storm watch as of Wednesday afternoon — a number that will likely climb into the weekend.
- Some areas that don't usually see huge snowfalls could get walloped.
The bottom line: Stock up on nonperishable grocery items, batteries and flashlights. Make sure your devices are charged, as well as any power banks you rely on.
- And stay home.