A high-impact winter storm is expected to move into northern Georgia this weekend, and forecasters say the biggest concerns for Northwest Georgia are ice, dangerous travel, and possible power outages. A Winter Weather Watch begins at 1:00 a.m. Saturday and continues into Monday morning as multiple storm systems interact with a surge of Arctic air pushing south.
A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for a large portion of North and Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga and Walker County areas, from late Friday night through Monday morning. The National Weather Service says heavy mixed precipitation is possible during that time, with total snow and sleet accumulations up to four inches and ice accumulations greater than one quarter of an inch also possible.
Sunshine rules the day across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, as temperatures stay below freezing through the early morning with lows in the low 20s and even upper teens in the higher elevations. While the biggest black ice concern is tied to places that still have leftover moisture from yesterday’s precipitation, drivers around northwest Georgia should still be cautious on bridges, shaded roads, and spots that don’t see early sunlight. The good news is that ample sunshine will help temperatures rebound quickly, pushing readings above freezing by mid-morning and fading any lingering slick-spot risk before late morning.
Cloudmont Ski Resort on Lookout Mountain in Mentone, Alabama says it’s watching conditions closely and, if the weather cooperates, is optimistically aiming for an opening day this Saturday, January 17. The resort plans to open at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.
If it doesn’t feel like late December in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia, you’re not imagining it. A warmer-than-normal pattern is taking hold and will only strengthen as we move through the week and into the Christmas holiday.
