UPDATED FORECAST, Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, 8:30 a.m. — There’s a winter storm warning for Fayette and Coweta counties and most of north-central Georgia beginning at 4 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City.
The NWS is predicting from 2 to 4 inches of snowfall beginning Friday evening, with higher amounts possible. Some small accumulations of ice also are possible, the updated forecast says.
The wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow begins before sundown Friday with a turn to all snow overnight, the forecast says.
Complicating matters will be temperatures falling from the mid-30s to freezing by 8 p.m. and to 26 degrees by 8 a.m. Saturday. Highs Saturday will struggle to hit 35.
That means slick roads and hazardous driving conditions from after dark Friday to well toward noon Saturday.
Here’s what the NWS statement says, updated as of 4:24 a.m, Friday, Jan. 6:
Winter storm warning remains in effect from 4 p.m. this [Friday] afternoon to 1 p.m. EST Saturday.
• Locations: Much of north and parts of west central Georgia, generally north of a line from Hamilton to Forsyth to Washington. This includes Atlanta and Athens.
• Hazard types: Snow. Snow could be mixed at times with sleet and freezing rain today.
• Accumulations: 2 to 4 inches of snow with locally higher amounts. Ice accumulations of .05 or less.
• Timing: A mix of rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow will develop late this [Friday] morning west of a line from Dawsonville to Griffin with rain to the east. The mixed precipitation will spread eastward through the afternoon. The precipitation will change to all snow this evening and continue into early Saturday morning. The snow will end from the west Saturday morning.
• Impacts: Roads will become slick making travel hazardous. Snowfall may be heavy at times. Travel could quickly become dangerous. Exercise extreme caution if travel is necessary.
• Winds: Becoming northwest winds at 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph late tonight and Saturday.
• Temperatures: Temperatures will be in the mid 30s to lower 40s today, falling to 25 to 30 tonight. Temperatures on Saturday will be in the low to mid 30s.
Precautionary/preparedness actions: A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Strong winds are also possible, which will also make travel very hazardous or impossible.
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[EARLIER POSTING]
Winter storm warning in effect from 4 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. EST Saturday.
The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a winter storm warning for north and portions of central Georgia which is in effect from 4 p.m. Friday To 1 p.m. EST Saturday.
• Locations: Much Of north and parts of west central Georgia generally north of a line from Hamilton to Forsyth to Lexington. This includes all of the Atlanta metro area.
• Hazard types: Snow.
• Accumulations: 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts.
• Timing: Beginning early Friday evening as a rain, snow or sleet mix, becoming all snow overnight Friday night. The snow will end from west to east through the morning Saturday.
• Impacts: Roads will become slick making travel hazardous. Snowfall may be heavy at times. Travel could quickly become dangerous. Exercise extreme caution if travel is necessary.
• Winds: Northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.
• Temperatures: Temperatures Friday evening will be in the low to mid 30s, falling into the mid to upper 20s by Saturday morning. Highs will be in the 30s Saturday afternoon, and some areas may struggle to rise above freezing.
Precautionary/preparedness actions: A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Strong winds are also possible, which will also make travel very hazardous or impossible.
