From Carroll County EMA Director Tim Padgett in coordination with the National Weather Service – Peachtree City office:

CURRENT SITUATION

Sleet began falling at 4:00 am and any non-treated roads in our area have a base layer of ice.  Snow began falling at 6:00 am and has been steady since then.  Snow is expected to continue until approximately 12:00 noon at which time we should see a change to a Sleet/Freezing Rain mix.  Travel conditions are deteriorating this morning.  Public Safety Agencies are already encouraging drivers to stay off the roads except for emergency travel.

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT / OVERVIEW:

We continue to anticipate a significant winter storm across West Georgia today. Snow and ice accumulations will result in dangerous to impossible travel conditions. Power outages may occur, especially in northeast Georgia where localized ice accumulations of 0.20 to 0.40 inches may occur by this evening. Impacts will linger in the region tonight and Saturday as roads refreeze and winds become gusty on Saturday.

WHAT HAS CHANGED:

·  Minor decreases in the snow and sleet forecast.

·  Increased the forecast ice accumulations in northeast Georgia.

WHERE & WHEN:

·  North Georgia: We anticipate snow and sleet as the primary precipitation types over north Georgia this morning, then freezing rain could mix in this afternoon.

·  Metro Atlanta and along Interstate 20: Snow and sleet are expected this morning, with a transition to a wintry mix/freezing rain by late morning or early afternoon.

·  Central Georgia: A wintry mix, with a transition to rain by Friday afternoon.

IMPACTS:

·  Expect dangerous travel conditions during this time, especially across north Georgia in the Winter Storm Warning where a prolonged period of ice and/or snow is expected. Travel is not recommended. The morning commute will be significantly impacted.

·  The risk of downed trees and powerlines has increased for northeast Georgia, given the increasing ice amounts. Gusty winds today or Saturday may increase the risk of power outages.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE:

·  MEDIUM in snow and ice  amounts and the timing of precipitation type transitions.

·  HIGH confidence the timing of event onset time, duration, and impacts.

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