Snow, ice, or rain in Atlanta? Winter Storm Watch issued for North Georgia

ATLANTA - The threat of snow, sleet, freezing rain, graupel, and black ice are possible across metro Atlanta and north Georgia through the weekend. The FOX 5 Storm Team has declared Friday and Saturday Storm Alert Days due to the threat of winter weather in our region.

LIVE UPDATES: CLOSINGS AND DELAYS

Those who experience freezing rain are expected to see power outages, especially in areas with power lines above ground.

Please note that FOX 5 Storm Alert Days are rare and are only issued when serious weather is approaching North Georgia. The last time one was declared was when Hurricane Helene moved through Georgia in September.

Winter Storm Watch issued for north Georgia

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Chattooga, Gordon, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Banks, Jackson, Madison, Polk, Paulding, Cobb, North Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Haralson, Carroll, Douglas, South Fulton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Walton, Newton, Heard, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton, and Henry counties for Friday morning through Saturday morning.

Those in north central, northeast, northwest, and west central Georgia will likely experience winter weather in some form.

Accumulation of snow and sleet is expected to be between 1 and 3 inches in Atlanta with totals increasing in northern Georgia to anywhere between 3 and 6 inches. 

Ice accumulation is also possible between a tenth to two tenths of an inch in metro Atlanta and areas eastward.

This storm will bring slippery road conditions which are expected to impact the commutes. Hazardous cold is another factor to be aware of.

Cold Weather Advisory for south metro Atlanta

A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect through 9 a.m. Thursday for Haralson, Carroll, Heard, Coweta, Fayette, Spalding, Troup, Meriwether, Pike, Upson, Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Crawford, Bibb, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Johnson, Emanuel, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Laurens, Treutlen, Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Dooly, Crisp, Pulaski, Wilcox, Dodge, Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery, and Toombs counties

Much of central and west central Georgia will experience very cold wind chills, as low as 10 to 15. This could cause frostbite and hypothermia for unprotected skin when it is exposed for a time to the temperatures.

SEE ALSO:

• How to safely heat your home
• Cobb County DOT ready for snow, ice across metro Atlanta
• GDOT activates winter weather plan as Georgia braces for incoming storm
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Warming centers in metro Atlanta

Atlanta warming centers

The City of Atlanta will open warming centers nightly through at least Friday morning. The centers will open at 8 p.m. and will remain open until 6 a.m. the following day. The centers are located at:

• Central Park Recreation Center: 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta 30308
• Old Adamsville Recreation Center: 3404 Delmar Lane NW, Atlanta, GA 30331 (Old Adamsville Recreation Center will continue to serve as an overflow location.)

Transportation will be provided by Fulton County nightly at 8 p.m. from the Gateway Center, 275 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Return trips will be available upon deactivation.

Cherokee County warming center

Action Church, 271 Marietta Road, will open its warming center on Thursday at 5 p.m.

It will be open daily from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. through Friday at 9 a.m. 

The warming center will close at 9 a.m. each day to reset and prepare for the following day. Dinner will be provided nightly, and breakfast will be provided each morning. 

DeKalb County warming centers

DeKalb County will open several warming centers until further notice. The centers will remain open 24-hours a day at the following locations:

• Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Rd.
• Tobie Grant, 593 Parkdale Dr.
• Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Dr. (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)
• Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Dr. (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)

DeKalb County’s overnight only warming center is available to residents at the following location. Special transportation will be provided each morning to the 24-hour warming center location:

• North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)
• During warming center activation, transportation pickups will be available to Frontline International according to the following schedule. Please note additional transportation pickup times and dates may be added:
• Chamblee Library, 4115 Clairmont Rd., Chamblee, 5:40 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Dr., Chamblee, 7:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.
• Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Dr., 9 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.
• Avondale Fire Station No. 3, 100 N. Clarendon Ave., Avondale Estates,
• Pick up No. 1, 6:20 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.
• Pick up No. 2, 7:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.
• 2027 Candler Rd., Decatur, 8:40 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• D&K Suit City Parking Lot: 5239 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain, 6:20 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.
• 2724 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur, 7:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.
• Exchange Park Intergeneration Center, 2771 Columbia Dr., Decatur, 8:40 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Frontline Response International has been contracted to serve individuals who need assistance during extreme weather conditions. Unlike DeKalb’s traditional warming centers, hot meals, beds, and case management services are centralized at Frontline. DeKalb offers transportation services from all its warming centers to Frontline for individuals who wish to take advantage of those provided services.

Please note that DeKalb County fire stations will not be activated as overnight warming center locations. However, Avondale Fire Station Fire Station No. 3, located at 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA 30002, will function as a transportation pickup location to Frontline.

Persons in DeKalb County who need homelessness assistance or housing services can contact DeKalb County Coordinated Entry by calling (404) 687-3500. 

For more information about centers offered by DeKalb County and its community partners, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/weather.

Henry County shelter and warming station

Henry County Government will open a warming station on Thursday at 6 p.m.

The shelter will be operated at the Locust Grove Recreation Center, located at 10 Cleveland Street, Locust Grove, and will remain open for as long as needed throughout the weekend. The facility is equipped to provide warmth, shelter and essential services to those affected by the inclement weather.

The warming station is open to anyone in need and those who utilize the shelter are encouraged to bring personal necessities, such as medications, important documents and essential items.

For additional information, please contact the Community Resources Division of HC EM/HS at 770-288-7506. 

TIPS TO PREPARE FOR WINTER WEATHER: 

• How Georgia prepares for winter weather
• How to prep your driveway for ice, snow
• Make sure you have these things in your car
• What to do if you lose electricity
• Pipe bursts and what to do about it
• How to ensure your pets stay warm and safe
• Prepare now for winter... fun?

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