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More than half an inch of ice accumulation could bring down power lines and bring down trees across the region.
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Wintry precipitation is forecast to begin early Saturday and could affect the area by Monday morning.
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Residents must complete all emergency preparations by sundown Friday to weather potential multi-day outages.
ATLANTA – A high-impact winter storm is forecast to move through North Georgia this weekend, bringing the threat of significant ice and snow accumulation that could lead to power outages and travel disruptions.
The FOX 5 Storm Team is warning residents to prepare for a “long-lasting event” starting Saturday that could last into Monday.
Winter storm in Georgia
What we know
A major winter storm system is headed for the region, with the National Weather Service predicting impactful winter weather Saturday and Sunday. Although the exact track and intensity remain uncertain, the storm is expected to bring a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow.
Atlanta Ice Storm: ‘Destructive’ Accumulation.
what they say
FOX 5 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist David Chandley warned that the potential for ice is the main concern for the metro area.
“The main concern with this winter weather agreement is ice accumulation for our region,” Chandley said. “It’s the ice that really worries me.”
Chandley noted that while rain returns late Wednesday into Thursday, the weekend brings the “main event.”
“Ice accumulation would be destructive. We’re talking over half an inch of ice in most areas,” Chandley said. “That takes down trees, that takes down power lines. So that’s why we’re being careful.”
Georgia ice storm weather
Chronology
Wintry precipitation is expected to begin early Saturday and could persist into the start of the work week.
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Wednesday–Friday: Scattered rain showers are expected, but temperatures will remain above freezing.
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Saturday morning: The transition to freezing rain begins as temperatures drop.
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Saturday evening-Sunday: Freezing rain and sleet are likely to continue throughout the day.
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monday morning: Precipitation may turn to snow before ending later in the day.
Snow and ice in this winter storm
Big picture view
The FOX 5 Storm Team is tracking a low pressure system moving inland from the Pacific as a trough sinks to the southeast. High-pressure “panning” is expected to play a major role in keeping cold air locked in place.
The data shows a 40% to 50% chance of at least 0.5 inches of ice accumulation for areas north of Interstate 20. There is also a 30% to 45% chance of 2 inches or more of snow in the same northern regions.
Ice, sleet, freezing rain or snow?
Local perspective
The impact will vary significantly by geography. For far north Georgia, snow is expected to be the main type of precipitation. However, for most of the region, including metro Atlanta, a “wintry mix” of freezing rain and sleet is the main threat. Once temperatures drop below freezing on Saturday, they are forecast to remain below 32 degrees until Monday afternoon.
How to prepare for an ice storm
Why should you care
This storm is classified as a “potentially high impact event” with a risk of moderate to major disruption. Residents should prepare for:
Power outage: Heavy ice accumulation on limbs and lines is likely to cause outages.
Fell trees: A half inch of ice is often enough to cause widespread tree damage.
Dangerous journeys: Significant impacts on road conditions are anticipated over the weekend.
SEE ALSO:
Atlanta weather forecast
By the numbers
Metro Atlanta forecast
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Wednesday: High 53 / Low 40 (30% precipitation)
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Thursday: High 53 / Low 44 (60% precipitation)
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Friday: High 53 / Low 35 (60% precipitation)
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Saturday: High 43 / Low 27 (100% precipitation; rain turning to sleet/ice)
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Sunday: High 34 / Low 20 (60% precipitation; freezing rain)
North Georgia Forecast
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Wednesday: High 49 / Low 34 (50% precipitation)
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Thursday: High 51 / Low 37 (60% precipitation)
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Friday: High 46 / Low 29 (60% precipitation; rain/snow mix)
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Saturday: High 36 / Low 26 (100% precipitation; snow/ice mix)
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Sunday: High 32 / Low 14 (60% precipitation; freezing rain/snow)
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FOX 5 Days Storm Alert
What’s next
The FOX 5 Storm Team has declared Saturday and Sunday as Winter Storm Alert Days.
This is the earliest of the year that such an alert has been issued.
“They’re not something we just throw around. It takes a significant, big event to set them off,” said FOX 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alex Forbes. “In fact, I can count on one hand the number of storm warning days I’ve issued since I’ve been working at the station, and that’s over two years from now.”
The FOX 5 Storm Team is advising residents of metro Atlanta and throughout North Georgia to spend the week preparing.
“This winter storm has the potential to be something most people in this city have never seen before,” Forbes explained. “Please prepare for possibly long power outages and plan to stay wherever you sleep Friday night.”
Stay connected and informed
what can you do
Stay on top of the latest forecasts as Georgia prepares for this potential winter weather threat! Don’t be left in the dark, get real-time radar and hour-by-hour timing tailored to your neighborhood by downloading The FOX 5 Storm Team app. Plus, for wall-to-wall live coverage and deep dives into the forecast, stream us anytime on The FOX LOCAL app for your smart TV.
Source
This article contains an original forecast by the FOX 5 Storm Team. The National Weather Service contributed to this report. This article has been updated since it was originally published to provide the most accurate information.