The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters say their “confidence is increasing in freezing rain occurring later this week across a portion of north Georgia,” including the Gainesville area, where there’s about a 60 percent chance of at least a tenth of an inch of ice. And some snow is not out of the question.
“For now, those along and north of the I-20 corridor should closely monitor the forecast and consider preparations in the event that travel becomes hazardous,” the NWS said in an advisory issued early Monday evening. “Those south of I-20 should still stay tuned to the forecast, as slightly colder temperatures than currently expected could mean increasing chances for freezing rain.”
The chances of freezing rain range from 60 percent in northeast Georgia to four percent as far south as Albany. (See accompany map.)
As for the possibility of snow, accumulations from northeast Georgia to middle Georgia have not been ruled out. There’s a 50 percent chance for Gainesville and vicinity and a nearly 70 percent chance the farther north you go.
“For now, the odds of 1 inch of snowfall are greatest in the mountains of north Georgia,” the weather service says. “Farther south (including across the metro Atlanta area) a mix of precipitation types is most likely.”
Meanwhile, strong, gusty winds created some problems across north Georgia much of the day Monday, with downed trees and powerlines in some areas. In Habersham County, one person was injured when a vehicle struck a tree that had fallen across a road.
At the Gainesville airport, sustained winds of 20-30 mph were common with gusts of 45 mph reported at mid-afternoon.