Major Winter Storm Could Impact GA This Weekend

Georgia residents should not make any permanent plans for this weekend as a second winter storm, expected to affect more than 150 million people in the U.S., could put them on ice, forecasters told Patch on Tuesday.

Days after up to 3 inches of snow fell in Georgia, National Weather Service meteorologist Christa Smith said a second wintry system is eyeing the Peach State — this time, on a different track that includes metro Atlanta.

There were no injuries with a snowstorm on Sunday morning, she said, which brought the following accumulations in Georgia:

• Monticello, 3 inches
• Near Eatonton, 2.7 inches
• Bonaire, 2.3 inches
• Lumpkin, 2.2 inches
• Meansville, 2.1 inches
• Thomaston, 1.5 inches
• Zebulon, 1 inch
• Griffin, 1 inch
• Locust Grove, 0.4 inches

For the upcoming storm, Smith said Georgia residents should expect "a little of everything."

"We've got snow, sleet, freezing rain, all of the wintry precipitation types," she said.

The system is a product of multiple factors and is affecting the entire Southeast region. Smith said contributors include moisture coming from the Gulf, cold air in place from a high-pressure system against the mountains and another cold air mass from the Northwest.

AccuWeather reported the winter storm will stretch from Texas to Massachusetts, impacting at least 150 million people in the nation's southern and eastern regions.

Like the NWS, AccuWeather puts metro Atlanta in the path of the storm. Other major metros included Dallas, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The private-weather forecast service predicted Georgia roads may be impassable for days, and pipes could burst due to single-digit temperatures. Flights could also be delayed or canceled.

"Some areas in the southern part of the nation could experience their worst snow or ice storm in years," AccuWeather reported.

Though timing remained slightly uncertain on Tuesday, Smith said the system may arrive by Saturday morning and could clear out as late as Monday morning in Georgia. She surmised Sunday would be the "worst day" for the snowy weather.

Once it enters the Georgia mountains, she said it may rapidly spread to metro Atlanta and further into the state's central region by midday Saturday.

While freezing rain is the primary concern, ice could chill power lines and linger on trees and roadways. This could lead to power outages and difficult travel.

"Don't make any plans set in stone for the weekend," Smith said. "It's likely that plans will be impacted across the metro and North Georgia."

South Georgia may not be out of the clear, but she said there may not be any significant impacts for the region.

Tuesday was too early to predict snowfall accumulations, but temperatures are likely to be below-freezing through the weekend.

Near-freezing temperatures may be active Monday in metro Atlanta, with the more northern areas feeling colder, Smith said. Wind gusts could reach up to 30 mph.

This all comes after the metro is expected to face rainfall on Friday.

Smith advised residents have their emergency kits handy with water, medications and other necessities. She also warned temperatures could be low enough to produce hypothermia, and with power outages possible, people may have trouble staying warm inside their homes.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency offers tips for before and during winter weather.

Updates will be posted on the weather service's Twitter page, the weather service's Facebook page and its website.

Here is the National Weather Service's Tuesday afternoon forecast for metro Atlanta:

This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 43. Northwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Calm wind.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 52.

Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday: Rain showers likely before 1 p.m., then rain showers, possibly mixed with sleet. High near 42. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Saturday Night: Rain showers and freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet before 1 a.m., then freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet. Low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Sunday: Rain or freezing rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain showers, snow showers, and freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35.