Chance Of Snow Remains In GA Forecast

ATLANTA, GA — Snow chances remain likely in Georgia — again, but the National Weather Service told Patch it is not currently a primary concern for the Peach State.

NWS senior meteorologist Dylan Lusk on Friday said an Arctic air mass from Canada will usher in below-freezing temperatures is presently the most significant worry for Georgia.

The mass is spilling into two-thirds of the U.S., east of the Rockies, Lusk said.

Be that as it may, Lusk told Patch that a low chance of snow exists in north Georgia, starting Tuesday and possibly carrying into early Wednesday morning. Central Georgia could see a blend of frozen precipitation.

He noted "the details remain fuzzy," but while unclear, the NWS forecasted a 30 percent chance of snow showers after 1 p.m. Tuesday and before 1 a.m. Wednesday.

"What we can say is that chances are much higher than they would normally be," Lusk said.

Before then, the outdoors may not be favorable for attendees of the NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship and of parades observing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. The championship will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Showers set to start on Friday night may pour into the area through early Sunday morning. No severe hazards exist with the half-inch to an inch of expected rainfall.

An Arctic air mass is aiming to drop temperatures into the single digits in north Georgia and in the mountains and into the teens and low 20s elsewhere Sunday night into Monday morning. The air around the Atlanta airport is expected to be around 16 degrees on Monday, Lusk said.

Around 2 p.m. Monday, Lusk said wind chills will be in the 20s.

There is a possibility that temperatures may not climb beyond freezing on Monday, so Lusk warned event guests to dress appropriately and be ready for the potential of gusty winds that will make the air feel even colder.

"So, it's gonna feel really cold out there, so just be prepared for that," he said. "... Have a way to stay warm."

Residents should get their homes ready for the winter air because Lusk said pipes will freeze. Pets should be sheltered or placed indoors, Lusk said.

With the cold temperatures possibly lingering through Wednesday, he also advised to be mindful of students at bus stops.

"This cold air mass is definitely settling into the South and could be around most of next week," Lusk said.

Temperatures after Wednesday could warm up but only to about 40 degrees, Lusk said.

Here is the National Weather Service's forecast for metro Atlanta around 10:30 a.m. Friday:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Showers, mainly after 2 a.m. Low around 42. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Showers, mainly before 10 a.m. High near 56. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.

M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 30.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 32.

Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 36.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41.