Could It Snow In GA? See Latest Forecast

ATLANTA, GA — With predictions of a possible winter storm set to pummel millions this weekend, Georgia and other parts of the East Coast could potentially freeze amid threats of thunderstorms in the South.

AccuWeather on Friday said "bitterly cold air" could blast 40 states next week, but not before a winter storm dangerously affects several states this weekend.

“We expect serious travel disruptions from this winter storm,” AccuWeather Long-Range Expert Joe Lundberg said in a news release. “This is not record-setting cold, but the longevity of these cold waves, combined with snow on the ground in the Upper Midwest and northern Plains, will lead to a prolonged surge in heating demand.”

The winter storm is expected to strike from the Plains to the East Coast, starting Saturday in Oklahoma and Texas and later bringing snow and ice to the central and northern Plains, AccuWeather said.

In Georgia, the National Weather Service told Patch that the state could significantly be spared from the winter storm though the area is entering its "first real solid cold blast of this year."

The NWS' Sam Marlow said cold air from the North could be the door opener for a cold front that will be accompanied by rain this weekend in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

Far northwest Georgia may feel a temporary wintry precipitation mix that will rapidly transition into rainfall on Sunday morning, Marlow said. Some flurries are possible, although extremely brief and light, he said.

Freezing rain could impact the northwest area that will be "washed away by later rain," Marlow said.

Conditions will warm by Sunday afternoon before showers fall throughout the day in northern Georgia and into the central region, impacting Macon and Columbus. The rain could also stretch as far south as Americus and Cordele, Marlow said.

The downpour is not expected to clear until Monday afternoon, he said. No severe hazards are expected with the rainfall.

The probability of below-freezing temperatures is likely in Georgia next week, according to both AccuWeather and the NWS.

An AccuWeather prediction stated Georgia could begin to freeze by Thursday and Friday.

However, the NWS expected colder air to blow in the Peach State beginning Tuesday.

Marlow said temperatures could dip into the mid-20s by midweek, possibly reaching the mid-teens sometime next week.

He encouraged people to be mindful of pipes, those who are unsheltered and anyone considered to be a part of vulnerable populations during the cold season.

Even with the subfreezing temperatures, Marlow said there may be no real snow chances this weekend in Georgia. Next week is too far out to tell.

However, an AccuWeather forecast stated snow may be in the near future for the Southeast.

“There is the potential for more trouble down the road," AccuWeather Long-Range Expert Joe Lundberg said in the release. "Another winter storm is possible around the middle of January that could bring snow and ice to parts of the South Central and Southeast states."

As of around 4:15 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service predicted the following detailed forecast for metro Atlanta:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday: Showers likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Light southeast wind increasing to 5-10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday Night: Showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Low around 39. Southeast wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 39.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 24.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 38.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 36.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.