Wednesday evening forecast: Snow possible.

Arctic air is expected to blow into Georgia, bringing a slight dust layer to the northernmost reaches of the North Georgia Mountains, while wind chills are expected to drop below freezing overnight. This isn’t the only chance of snow over the coming week. The FOX 5 Storm Team is tracking the arrival of winter’s fury. Here is the latest one.

atlanta – Temperatures will plummet Thursday morning, creating a one-two punch of winter weather threats across Georgia this weekend.

Light snow is possible in the mountains Friday night, but a second, more uncertain system could bring snow or a rain-snow mix to metro Atlanta and parts of Central Georgia by Sunday morning.

Weekend winter threat uncertain

What we know:

A powerful cold front is moving through Georgia, bringing high winds and frigid temperatures that will continue through the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. While the immediate focus is on Thursday morning’s blizzard and dangerous cold air, the FOX 5 Storm Team is closely monitoring a second system that arrives late Saturday.

Confidence in Sunday’s forecast remains low, but the latest data suggests a move toward a potential winter event. Forecasters noted that about 40 percent of recent model simulations show a swath of wintry weather across southern and central Georgia, and 20 percent bring that threat to north Georgia.

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Georgia snow threat

What they are saying:

FOX 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alex Forbes said Wednesday night that while “there is some cold air,” questions remain about the available moisture.

“This modeling is all over the place, which is somewhat normal for a system like this,” Forbes said. “Yesterday, models saw the winter weather and almost completely pulled out. Now, some models are starting to rejoin.”

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blizzard weather model

What we don’t know:

Forbes cautioned residents not to rely on the various maps circulating on social media, noting that they are instead monitoring ensemble models that run multiple scenarios.

“It’s a clear possibility, if not a possibility, that nothing will happen,” Forbes added. “We’re at the mercy of models, and models typically only respond well to events like this after 24 to 48 hours.”

Rain showers and snow possible

In terms of numbers:

The following image shows the latest forecast for the mountains and metropolitan Atlanta area.

north georgia mountains

• Friday: The highest value is 44. There’s a 50% chance of rain or snow overnight, with a low of 29.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 41 degrees. The lowest night is 4pm.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 30 degrees. The lowest night is 1pm.
• MLK Day: Sunny, with a high of 39 degrees. The lowest temperature at night is 3pm.

metro atlanta

• Friday: Sunny, with a high of 52 degrees. There is a 40 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m., with a low of 38 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 49 degrees. The minimum temperature at night is 25 degrees.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high of 38 degrees. The lowest temperature at night is 22:00.
• MLK Day: Sunny, with a high of 45 degrees. The lowest night temperature is 24:00.

When will the weather change?

Let’s dig deeper:

The first shift begins Friday night into Saturday morning as a cold front brings light rain to the region and possible snow in higher elevations. The more important period for potential winter weather opens late Saturday night and continues into Sunday morning. Forbes noted that the forecast should become clearer by Friday night.

Which regions are most at risk?

Local perspective:

If a winter storm were to form, current data suggests the highest chance of precipitation would be south of Interstate 20. Forbes said any impact would likely follow a “south-to-north gradient.” Friday night’s system will limit snowfall primarily to the North Georgia Mountains, especially areas above 2,000 feet.

How much accumulation is expected?

Big picture:

The chance of snow accumulating in the mountains on Friday is very limited, ranging from a vestige to half an inch on the highest peaks. Meteorologists have not yet released specific totals for Sunday’s possible system because there is “very low confidence” in the storm’s path. However, Forbes warned that if the snow falls, “significant impacts could occur in the Atlanta metropolitan area and central Georgia early Sunday morning.”

prepare for winter weather

What you can do:

Here are some ways to prepare for potential winter weather now.

• Stock up on essentials: Update your batteries and flashlights, and make sure you have enough non-perishable food and necessary prescriptions on hand.
• Prepare for service interruptions: Be prepared for a temporary loss of internet and cell phone service, especially in forested areas prone to storm damage.
• Protect piping. Insulate outdoor pipes and install original water stop valves. Frozen pipe problems typically peak in January and February.
• Prioritize heating safety: Make sure generators, fireplaces, and space heaters are properly ventilated. Never operate a generator in an enclosed space due to the risk of carbon monoxide.
• Stay informed digitally: Download the FOX 5 Storm Team weather app and enable location settings to receive emergency notifications directly.
• Monitor local closes. Bookmark the FOX 5 Atlanta Closings page for the latest information. Administrators must register their organization now to ensure eligibility to post cancellations.
• Animal care: Bring pets indoors during freezing temperatures and provide outdoor animals with shelter and fresh, unfrozen water.
• Equip the vehicle: Assemble a car kit with a blanket, charger, small shovel, snacks, and traction litter or cat litter.
• Maintain safety detectors. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries before increasing use of your heater or fireplace.
• Check your neighbors: Coordinate with seniors, people with disabilities, or people using powered medical equipment to develop a plan for power outages.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is ramping up its winter weather response ahead of multiple fronts that could bring snow and showers to North Georgia. (Fox 5)

It’s cold to stay here

What’s next:

The cold will continue even after the weekend. High temperatures on Tuesday are expected to remain at 36 degrees in the mountains and 43 degrees in Atlanta.

Dry air flowing into the state could also pose fire safety concerns. Relative humidity values ​​may fall below 25% on Monday and Tuesday, potentially prompting a fire danger advisory from the National Weather Service. Conditions are expected to begin to ease by Wednesday, with highs back in the low 40s.