The gold dome of the Georgia Capitol gleams in the sun, Aug. 27, 2022, in front of the skyline of downtown Atlanta. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
This story was updated on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6:39 p.m.
Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Georgia on Monday in preparation for winter weather that could bring up to 1 inch of snow to Atlanta.
The declaration activates the state operations center and mobilizes resources among state agencies including the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
The order includes prohibitions on price gouging during the storm and temporarily increases height, weight and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies. It also activates up to 250 Georgia National Guard troops if needed for preparation, response and recovery efforts.
GDOT brine trucks began treating roadways Sunday morning.
“They, along with our emergency management and public safety teams, will be working throughout this winter storm,” Kemp said in a press release. “As we continue to coordinate with state and local officials throughout the state, I urge everyone to make their own preparations to ensure they and their families can remain safe over the coming days, especially if road conditions prevent travel.”
Kemp closed state offices in Atlanta including the Georgia State Capitol and surrounding areas on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, Kemp extended the state of emergency another week to Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Atlanta under dayslong freeze, 1 inch of snow possible
Temperatures in Georgia dropped below freezing Sunday night and may stay there for several days while inches of snow could get dumped on the state.
Above-freezing temperatures are not expected in Atlanta until Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Residents are advised to protect “the 4 Ps” in the meantime: pets, pipes, vulnerable populations and plants.
(Image via National Weather Service)
Central Georgia will likely see the most amount of snow Tuesday. A winter storm warning is in place from 10 a.m. Tuesday through 7 a.m. Wednesday and the NWS expects up to 3 inches of snow accumulation there.
A winter storm advisory is in place for that window of time in parts of north and central Georgia, including metro Atlanta. Snow accumulations of less than 1 inch are possible, according to NWS.
Residents should plan on slippery, hazardous road conditions in the affected areas that could impact the Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning commutes.
The City of Atlanta opened two warming centers Sunday night that will remain open through Wednesday afternoon. The centers are at the Central Park Recreation Center on Merritts Avenue and Selena S. Butler Park on W.M. Holmes Borders Drive. The Butler Park warming center is for women and children only.
The Old Adamsville Recreation Center on Delmar Lane will serve as an overflow location.
This will mark the second time in 2025 that Atlanta residents will prepare for potential snowfall. A winter storm hit the city on Jan. 10 that led to Georgia being placed under a state of emergency order and canceled schools, flights and more.