Update – Saturday, 9:25 a.m.: Fayette and Coweta counties dodged a bullet Friday night, with the winter storm leaving relatively small quantities of ice, generally less than two-tenths of an inch, and virtually no snow in its wake. Emergency management officials in both counties reported only sporadic power outages and roads in relatively good shape. Motorists were advised to use caution, especially on bridges and overpasses where black ice can cause problems.
Temperatures Saturday are not expected to rise above 32 degrees, followed by a low Saturday night of 17 degrees and a high Sunday in the upper 30s.
Update – 7:25 p.m.: The National Weather Service has downgraded the amount of ice expected to fall in Fayette and Coweta counties. NWS shortly after 7 p.m. said accumulation in Fayette and Coweta is expected to total .28 inches along with 1-2 inches of snow before the winter storm ends on Saturday.
Fayette, Coweta and several other south metro Atlanta counties are expected to received the greatest ice accumulation.
Coweta Emergency Management Director Jay Jones said ham radio operators across north and south Coweta at 7 p.m. were reporting ice forming on exposed surfaces.
Original story: The conditions of the winter storm facing metro Atlanta may be changing later Friday night. Initially anticipated to be mainly a snow event, the National Weather Service (NWS) is anticipating that the storm may bring more ice than expected.
According to Coweta County Emergency Management Director Jay Jones at 5:45 p.m., “Things are setting up for Coweta and all south metro (Atlanta) to get more ice than snow.”
Jones said he will be receiving additional information from NWS by approximately 7 p.m. which will include an update on expected conditions.
At this point said Jones, and based on preliminary data, the south metro area, including Fayette and Coweta, can expect up to one-half to one inch of ice or several inches of snow – more than 2 inches. Sustained winds of 15-20 miles per hour are expected, with gusts up to 25 miles per hour.
The Citizen will provide updates when more information is available.
