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The highest snow chances target areas south of Atlanta, especially along a line from Columbus to Macon.
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Forecasters are advising residents to prepare now for significant travel impacts arriving Sunday.
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Low confidence remains as forecasters watch for “model madness” for a potential weekend winter storm.
ATLANTA – Georgia residents are keeping a close eye on the skies this weekend as a complex weather system threatens to bring snow to the region, but the chances of seeing snow in metro Atlanta this weekend continue to dwindle, according to the FOX 5 Atlanta Storm Team.
A narrow band of rain is expected to move in from Friday night into Saturday morning, with most areas seeing light rain.
Brief mixing is possible in the North Georgia mountains, but models now show limited moisture reaching metro Atlanta as cooler air moves behind the system.
Cold Friday
What we know
According to FOX 5 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist David Chandley, the immediate concern is the cold. Residents woke up Friday morning to temperatures in the twenties and 20s, well below the average minimum of 35 degrees.
A cold front is expected to linger into Friday night, bringing about a quarter inch of rain. While Saturday should offer a brief break with partly cloudy skies and highs near 52, a second system developing in the Gulf will move in late Saturday night.
Chandley notes that this second system brings a 10-20 percent chance of a quarter inch of snow to the I-20 and I-85 corridors, including Atlanta. However, those chances increase to 35-50% for central Georgia, especially along a line from Columbus to Macon.
Weekend winter weather
what they say
The likelihood of wintry weather continues to decrease. Forecast guides now suggest only a slight chance of snow for the metro area, with slightly higher chances south and east of Atlanta.
“We have a lot of things to put together before all of this happens,” Chandley said. “If snow does develop, it is likely to affect areas south of Atlanta compared to North Georgia impacts.”
The feeling of uncertainty is shared in the weather community. The National Weather Service in Peachtree City characterized the situation as a “very low confidence forecast,” noting that where the runway ends, there will likely be a “front … that sees several inches of snow.”
Despite the uncertainty, officials are urging caution. “The advice we have for all north and central Georgia residents is to stay safe and prepare as if there will be a significant impact on travel on Sunday, even if it doesn’t materialize,” the NWS said.
Even if no snow falls, wind chills will dip Saturday night into Sunday, ending a bitterly cold weekend. Sunday is expected to be the coldest day, with temperatures near freezing and wind chills dropping into the twenties and 20s before conditions gradually improve early next week.
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Snow ‘model madness’
You deeper
FOX 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alex Forbes says while the forecast is frustrating, the potential for “mess” is real if Gulf moisture is further north than currently expected.
Forbes outlined four key takeaways for the weekend:
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Low chance: There is a low chance for a storm impact in metro Atlanta, but it’s entirely possible that the moisture will stay south.
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South of I-20: Areas south of the I-20 and I-85 corridors currently have the best chance of seeing wintry weather overnight Saturday into Sunday.
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The 24-hour rule: Forbes noted that models typically don’t line up until about 24 hours before the event (Friday night to Saturday morning).
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Rain vs Snow: The rain expected Saturday morning is part of a different system. Rain early in the day does not rule out snow later that night.
“Your weather apps will fluctuate. Our forecast will probably fluctuate,” Forbes said. “Trust me, it’s just as frustrating for us as it is for you.”
Cold days are coming
By the numbers
Next week will be defined by a “cold front” with temperatures remaining below normal until early next week.
Metro Atlanta at a Glance:
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Friday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Gusts as high as 20 mph.
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friday evening: 70% chance of showers after 1am Low 41.
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Saturday: 20% chance of showers in the morning. Big 52.
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Saturday night: 20% chance of a rain/snow mix after 1am Low 29.
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Sunday: Mostly sunny and cold. Big 38.
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MLK Day: Sunny. Maximum 45, after a minimum of 24.
A look at the North Georgia Mountains:
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friday evening: 80% chance of showers. Low 32. Up to 0.25″ of precipitation.
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Saturday night: 20% chance of snow showers. Low 20.
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Sunday: Mostly sunny. Big 33.
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Monday evening: Clear and dangerously cold. Low 10.
Get ready for snow now
what can you do
While the timing of snow remains uncertain, the preparation window is closing. State officials and the FOX 5 Storm Team recommend taking the following steps now to ensure your home and family are safe in freezing conditions:
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Audit your emergency supplies: Restock with flashlights, fresh batteries, and shelf-stable foods. Make sure you have an adequate supply of the necessary prescriptions on hand. Although snow is the main headline, keep in mind that power outages are most common during ice events.
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Plan for communication gaps: Prepare for the possibility of temporary loss of internet and mobile service. This is especially critical for residents of heavily forested areas that have a history of storm damage.
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Winterize your plumbing: Protect your home by insulating your exterior pipes. Locate the main water shut-off valve now; Frozen pipe incidents typically increase in January and February.
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Heat your home safely: Inspect generators, fireplaces and heaters to ensure they are properly ventilated. Not run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space, as this creates a deadly risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Keeping detectors working: Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace old batteries to ensure they are functional as you increase the use of fireplaces and radiators.
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Check your community: Reach out to elderly neighbors, the disabled, or anyone who relies on powered medical equipment. Make a plan to help them if travel becomes impossible or the power goes out.
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Protect pets and pets: Bring pets indoors during freezing nights. For outdoor animals, ensure they have access to adequate shelter and fresh, unfrozen drinking water.
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Pack a winter car kit: If you must travel, keep a basic emergency kit in your vehicle. These should include blankets, phone chargers, a small shovel, snacks, and litter or cat litter to help with tire traction.
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Stay informed: Get real-time updates sent directly to your phone via download FOX 5 Storm Team Weather App and enabling notifications.
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Monitor closures: Mark FOX 5 Atlanta Closures Page for the latest updates on schools, businesses and churches. Administrators should check their registration status now to ensure they can quickly post updates should the storm hit.
Source
This article contains an original forecast by the FOX 5 Storm Team. The National Weather Service contributed to this report. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting was also used.