Light rain and low clouds will remain widespread across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia through much of today, keeping temperatures on the mild side for early February.
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will enjoy unseasonably warm temperatures today ahead of an approaching cold front that will bring widespread light rain to the region later this evening through Wednesday.
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia are starting the work week with lingering cold, as early morning temperatures dipped into the low 20s Monday, with wind chills making it feel like the teens.
This week is severe weather week in Georgia. Today, Monday Feb. 2 – Friday Feb. 6.
Today’s focus is Day 1 (Feb. 2): Thunderstorm Safety. Thunderstorms can produce dangerous conditions in a short amount of time, including damaging straight-line winds, large hail, torrential rain, and frequent lightning. Even storms that don’t appear severe at first can quickly intensify, so having a plan and staying weather-aware is key.
An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through this afternoon for Chattooga County and much of north and central Georgia as a deep arctic air mass drives dangerously low wind chills across the region. Most of Chattooga County only saw a light dusting of snow, but higher elevations on Lookout Mountain picked up around 1 to 2 inches, and the bitter cold and gusty winds could keep slick spots lingering in a few areas. Temperatures trend warmer early this week, with rain chances returning midweek before another cool down.
Once again, Georgia and much of the Deep South appear headed for a round of winter weather this weekend, but like last weekend, the best chance for frozen precipitation looks to stay mainly east of Chattooga, Floyd, and Walker Counties. The National Weather Service says confidence continues to increase for measurable snowfall across parts of northeast and east-central Georgia between Friday night and Saturday night, prompting a Winter Storm Watch for those areas.
A developing winter storm is expected to affect parts of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic late Friday night into Saturday morning, bringing the potential for heavier snow and travel impacts mainly to areas east of Northwest Georgia. Forecast guidance continues to point the most significant winter weather toward the eastern Carolinas and into southern Virginia, with confidence increasing for impactful snowfall in those regions.
Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia will continue to feel the grip of a dry and chilly weather pattern as high pressure and steady northwest to west winds keep moisture confined to the Gulf of Mexico. High-level cirrus clouds drifting overhead from passing disturbances aloft will come and go, but sunshine breaking through later today should allow afternoon temperatures to rise into the lower 40s to lower 50s across lower elevations, while mountain areas remain colder in the 30s. Another increase in cloud cover is expected Thursday morning, though temperatures should remain similar or slightly warmer than today.
While Chattooga County and all of Northwest Georgia remain under an Ice Storm Warning, the National Weather Service forecast for our area is calling for only a slight chance of freezing rain before 10 AM this morning. Early temperatures were running marginal for widespread icing, with LaFayette and Mentone hovering just below freezing at 31 degrees, while Gaylesville, Alabama and Rome were closer to 40. Summerville was sitting at 35 degrees. Those readings are a bit warm for freezing rain in many spots, but sleet could still fall anywhere across the area, especially in heavier bursts of precipitation.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper is urging Georgians to prepare as extremely cold weather moves into parts of the state, with a potential winter storm expected to bring ice and snow beginning Friday night and lasting through the weekend. Harper says it is critical for pet and livestock owners to take precautions now to keep animals safe and warm, and he also warns that prolonged power outages at agricultural and food production facilities can lead to economic losses and serious food safety concerns.