The Arctic blast has arrived in metro Atlanta, and let’s be honest—it’s about as welcome as a flat tire in rush-hour traffic. Temperatures are plummeting, wind chills are dipping into the teens, and the FOX 5 Storm Team is tracking what could shape up to be a significant winter storm by the weekend. If you thought Georgia was immune to winter chaos, think again—Mother Nature has other plans, and they include snow, sleet, freezing rain, and some cold, miserable drizzle for good measure.
Now, let’s break it down. The bitter cold settled in Monday night, and by early Tuesday morning, wind chills were already clawing their way into the teens. Throughout Tuesday afternoon, even as the sun tries to do its thing, it’s going to feel below freezing thanks to those relentless winds. And it’s not just a quick cold snap, folks—this arctic visitor plans to stick around.
The real excitement, though, is set to arrive later this week. Computer models are showing a potential winter storm brewing for the Southeast, and north Georgia is squarely in its sights. The FOX 5 Storm Team says we can expect a “mixed bag” of precipitation—snow, sleet, freezing rain, and a frigid, cold rain for some unlucky areas.
When? Late Friday morning into early Saturday. Where? Well, that’s still a bit fuzzy. Predicting southern snowstorms is like herding cats—everything can shift at the last minute. But the likelihood of significant winter weather is rising, and anyone with plans for the weekend might want to stock up on bread, milk, and maybe a little patience.
But let’s not lose sight of the immediate issue: the bitter cold is here, and it’s dangerous. Fortunately, communities across metro Atlanta and north Georgia are stepping up to make sure those most vulnerable have somewhere safe and warm to go.
Warming Centers in DeKalb County:
- Frontline Response International: 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta (Men and single fathers, starting at 8 p.m.)
- Toby Grant: 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale
- Mason Mill Recreation Center: 1340 McConnell Drive
- Exchange Recreation Center: 2771 Columbia Drive
- North DeKalb Senior/Community Center: Overnight-only shelter with special transportation provided each morning.
Warming Centers in Gwinnett County (6 p.m.–7 a.m. on Jan. 6–7):
- Buford Senior Center: 2755 Sawnee Avenue, Buford
- Shorty Howell Park Activity Building: 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth
- Best Friend Park Gym: 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross
- Centerville Senior Center: Bethany Church Road, Snellville
- Lawrenceville Senior Center: 225 Benson Street, Lawrenceville
Warming Center in Gilmer County (Jan. 6–12, 5 p.m.–7 a.m.):
- Gilmer County Civic Center: South Main Street, Ellijay
- Dinner and breakfast will be served.
- Pets are welcome and will be kenneled and fed on arrival.
- In addition to these centers, Frontline Response has set up specialized shelters for women and children at Peace Baptist Church on Covington Highway.
The good news? These resources are in place, and volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure no one is left out in the cold. The bad news? This isn’t over yet. Between now and the weekend storm, temperatures will remain dangerously low, and we may be staring down a winter event that could cause power outages, slick roads, and all the usual chaos that comes with southern snowstorms.
