, a deep upper-level trough and associated surface low brought an extended period of moderate to heavy snow across parts of north Georgia beginning the morning of December 8th and continuing through the early morning of December 9th. The snowfall spread south and east overnight on the 8th into the morning of the 9th bringing light to moderate snowfall amounts to the remainder of north Georgia…
Every event with a place to put it; 52 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS FFC wrote it up.
With cold air in place across the southeastern U.S., a deep upper-level trough and associated surface low brought an extended period of moderate to heavy snow across parts of north Georgia beginning the morning of December 8th and continuing through the early morning of December 9th. The snowfall spread south and east overnight on the 8th into the morning of the 9th bringing light to moderate snowfall amounts to the remainder of north Georgia and portions of central Georgia. From the Atlanta metropolitan area northward and westward, many roads became impassable for several hours to over 2 days. Numerous trees and power lines were damaged or downed by the weight of the heavy, wet snow with many customers without electricity for hours if not days.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 8, 6:27 AM EST, 1 hour 33 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 627 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 .UPDATE... Updated for the 12z Aviation Discussion. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 419 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017/ SHORT TERM /Today through Saturday/... Not my first choice to upgrade part of CWA to winter storm warning this early in the morning and so close to onset on a weekday, but hard not to based on increased guidance from 00Z models and WPC as well as concerning trends in observations to our west. Radar/satellite trends and surface observations over southeast TX, southern LA and southern MS confirming what were starting to see here. Wherever heavier precip is occurring, temps are dropping into the low to mid 30s and snow and sleet are being reported and sticking on . With warmer temps in general preceding the event, we are hopeful most roads will initially be fine. However, where bands of heavier precip move in, could easily see a quick 1 to 2 inches of snow that could accumulate on roads. Heavier amounts up to 4 inches likely in higher elevations of northeast GA. Its been some time since we had an analog like this event. Could be similar to, albeit a little weaker system this time around, the March 1 2009 event when an upper low produced heavy snow with temps in mid to upper 30s. The snow was so heavy that temps fell to 32 to 33 and roads quickly become snow covered. Fortunately, timing of cooler temperatures tonight is not matching heaviest precip which should mainly occur today. Will need to keep an eye on this as high resolution model guidance still hanging on to decent amounts of precip tonight. Will ultimately depend on if short wave closes off into upper low. So far model handling of this has only shown subtle increase. If low were to cutoff completely and slow down, amounts would be significantly higher. This uncertainty to the high side also pushed us into going with the warning. Again, once we get through tonight, precip should end quickly after 12Z. Temps will also warm up into the upper 30s to low 40s by midday but new guidance is a little cooler than previous forecast. SNELSON LONG TERM /Saturday Night through Thursday/... The extended forecast is fairly benign compared to the short term. The long term stars off with the exiting frontal system just east of the area and some weak moisture pushing across N GA around the backside of the main low pressure center. Things clear out fast Sat night as a high pressure ridge build in slowly across the area through Monday. This ridge will keep things dry through tuesday before a dry cold front pushes southeast across the area. This front is only expected to bring a few clouds to the area but it will mostly usher in cooler temps and a reinforcing high pressure ridge for the middle to end of next week. All in all high temps will stay in the 40s and 50s through the extended with lows mainly in the 20s and 30s. 01 && .AVIATION... 12Z Update... Cigs will lower to MVFR this morning most areas, and to IFR by this afternoon as rain, rain/snow mix increases today. The rain/snow mix will change over to all snow in ATL this evening with a rain/snow mix developing in CSG this evening. Vsbys will be highly variable in the rain/snow mix depending on whether there is more snow than rain. Winds will be northerly 5 to 10 kts today, becoming northwest around 5 kts tonight. //ATL Confidence...12Z Update... High on winds. Medium on all remaining element.s 17 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 39 34 44 25 / 100 100 50 0 Atlanta 38 31 41 25 / 100 100 30 0 Blairsville 36 28 38 18 / 90 90 30 0 Cartersville 36 28 41 23 / 100 70 20 0 Columbus 41 33 44 28 / 100 100 20 0 Gainesville 38 31 41 25 / 100 100 40 0 Macon 43 36 45 26 / 100 100 40 0 Rome 36 27 43 23 / 80 50 10 0 Peachtree City 38 31 42 24 / 100 100 30 0 Vidalia 45 40 47 30 / 100 100 40 0 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 7 AM EST Saturday for the following zones: Catoosa...Chattooga...Clayton...Coweta... DeKalb...Fayette...Forsyth...Gwinnett...Hall...Heard...North Fulton...South Fulton...Troup...Walker...Whitfield. Winter Storm Warning until 7 AM EST Saturday for the following zones: Bartow...Carroll...Cherokee...Cobb...Dawson...Douglas... Fannin...Floyd...Gilmer...Gordon...Haralson...Lumpkin...Murray... Paulding...Pickens...Polk...Towns...Union...White. && SHORT TERM...SNELSON LONG TERM....01 AVIATION...17
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 456 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-091000- Baldwin-Banks-Barrow-Bartow-Bibb-Bleckley-Butts-Carroll-Catoosa- Chattahoochee-Chattooga-Cherokee-Clarke-Clayton-Cobb-Coweta- Crawford-Crisp-Dade-Dawson-DeKalb-Dodge-Dooly-Douglas-Emanuel- Fannin-Fayette-Floyd-Forsyth-Gilmer-Glascock-Gordon-Greene- Gwinnett-Hall-Hancock-Haralson-Harris-Heard-Henry-Houston-Jackson- Jasper-Jefferson-Johnson-Jones-Lamar-Laurens-Lumpkin-Macon- Madison-Marion-Meriwether-Monroe-Montgomery-Morgan-Murray- Muscogee-Newton-North Fulton-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Paulding-Peach- Pickens-Pike-Polk-Pulaski-Putnam-Rockdale-Schley-South Fulton- Spalding-Stewart-Sumter-Talbot-Taliaferro-Taylor-Telfair-Toombs- Towns-Treutlen-Troup-Twiggs-Union-Upson-Walker-Walton-Warren- Washington-Webster-Wheeler-White-Whitfield-Wilcox-Wilkes- Wilkinson- 456 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY AND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST SATURDAY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA... Wintry precipitation can be expected Today through Tonight. The rain snow mix will gradually transition to all snow across North and portions of west central GA. Please see the latest winter weather warning and advisory products on our webpage for further details. The rain snow mix will end across north and central Georgia tonight. Light accumulations are possible as far south as Columbus, Americus and Dublin. Most, if not all of the accumulations will be in grassy areas and on elevated surfaces. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday... Saturday morning, any residual moisture on road surfaces could produce black ice, creating hazardous travel conditions. See the latest Special Weather Statement for additional information. No hazardous weather expected Saturday afternoon through Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not requested but spotters are encouraged to submit reports of winter weather through the web by going to weather.gov/atlanta.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
632 AM EST FRI DEC 08 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 AM SNOW 1 N BLAIRSVILLE 34.89N 83.96W
12/08/2017 E0.8 INCH UNION GA PUBLIC
TEMPERATURE WAS AT FREEZING.
&&
EVENT NUMBER FFC1701343
GEOPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
735 AM EST FRI DEC 08 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0709 AM SNOW 2 ENE TALKING ROCK 34.52N 84.47W
12/08/2017 M0.5 INCH PICKENS GA AMATEUR RADIO
MODERATE SNOW WITH 1/2" ACCUMULATION ON ELEVATED DECK;
DUSTING IN GRASS; ICE ALSO REPORTED ON HWY 136.
&&
EVENT NUMBER FFC1701344
KINGThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
34 winter storm, 18 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated that around 1 inch of snow fell in Dade County.
Between 1 and 2 inches of snow were estimated across the northern portion of the county with 3 to 4 inches estimated across the south. An amateur radio operator measured 3.5 inches in Villanow.
Between 1 and 2 inches of snow were estimated across the county. A CoCoRaHS observer measured 1.7 inches southwest of Ringgold.
Between 3 and 4 inches of snow were estimated across the county. A CoCoRaHS observer measured 3.5 inches northeast of Summerville.
Between 5 and 8 inches of snow were estimated across the county. A CoCoRaHS observer measured 7 inches near Cave Spring and a report of 7.3 inches in Lindale was received on social media.
Between 2 and 5 inches of snow were estimated across the county. A CoCoRaHS observer measured 4.5 inches southeast of Dalton.
Between 5 and 9 inches of snow were estimated across the county. CoCoRaHS observers measured 8 and 8.2 inches in the Cedartown area.
Between 4 and 10 inches of snow were estimated across the county. COOP observers measured 8.8 inches around Taylorsville and 9.5 inches near Adairsville. A social media report of 8 inches was received from Emerson with a public report of 4 inches in Euharlee.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated between 4 and 7 inches of snow fell in Gordon County.
Between 4 and 7 inches of snow were estimated across the county. The public reported 4 inches in Eton.
Between 4 and 11 inches of snow were estimated across the county. CoCoRaHS observers reported 9 inches near Blue Ridge and 11 inches near Morganton. The Fannin County Emergency Manager reported 6 inches in Blue Ridge and a COOP observer reported 4 inches Suches.
Between 3 and 7 inches of snow were estimated across the county. A mixture of public and social media accounts and the broadcast media reported 3 inches in Ellijay, 4.5 inches near Talonia, 6 inches near Blaine and 6.8 inches near East Ellijay.
Between 3 and 7 inches of snow were estimated across the county. The Haralson County Emergency Manager reported 3 inches around Felton and a National Weather Service employee reported 7 inches near Tallapoosa.
Between 4 and 11 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS and COOP observers, National Weather Service employees and the public included 4.5 inches near Treasure Lake, 7 inches south of Carrollton, 8 inches north of Carrollton, 10.5 inches near Temple and 11 inches in Temple.
Between 4 and 9 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers and the Douglas County Emergency Manager 5 inches east of Douglasville, 8 inches south of Douglasville and 8 inches near Winston.
Between 6 and 13 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from COOP observers include 10 inches near Cross Roads and 11 inches northeast of Dallas.
Between 6 and 12 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers, the public and broadcast media include 8 and 10 inches in the Marietta area, 8.2 and 10.3 inches in Kennesaw, 8.5 inches in Sandy Springs, 10 inches in Sandy Plains, 10 inches in Smyrna, 11 inches in Mableton and 11.8 inches on Sweat Mountain.
Between 5 and 9 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from The Cherokee County Emergency manager, CoCoRaHS observers and the public 5 inches in Free Home and Bridgemill, 5 to 6 inches around Oak Grove, 5.5 inches in Waleska and Hickory Flat, 6.2 and 8.5 inches around Holly Springs, 6.2 inches in Ball Ground and 8.5 inches in Acworth.
Between 6 and 11 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from COOP and CoCoRaHS observers and the public include 7.6 inches near Nelson, 9 inches in Jasper and 10 and 11 inches around Talmadge.
Between 4 and 8 inches of snow were estimated across the county. The Dawson County Emergency Manager reported 6.5 inches near Sequoyah Lake.
Between 4 and 8 inches of snow were estimated across the county. CoCoRaHS observers and a trained spotter reported 5 inches west of Cleveland and near Auraria and 6.3 and 7 inches around Dahlonega.
Between 4 and 10 inches of snow were estimated across the county. The White County Emergency Manager, CoCoRaHS and COOP observers reported 4.2 and 4.5 inches around Helen, 5 to 7.1 inches around Cleveland, 5.5 inches around Sautee and 10 inches near Anna Ruby Falls.
Between 6 and 11 inches of snow were estimated across the county. A COOP observer and the public reported 10 and 10.2 inches around the Blairsville area.
Between 6 and 12 inches of snow were estimated across the county. A CoCoRaHS observer reported 11 inches near Hiawassee.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated between 1 and 3 inches of snow fell in Heard County.
Between 1 and 4 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS and COOP observers and National Weather Service employees included 1 inch near Senoia, 2.5 inches north of Sharpsburg and 3.3 to 4 inches from Newnan to the Chattahoochee River across the northwest.
Between 2 and 5 inches of snow were estimated across the southern half of Fulton County. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers included 4 inches near East Point and 4.3 inches near Palmetto.
Between 4 and 10 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers and trained spotters include 4.5 inches near Flowery Branch, 4.5 to 6 inches around Cumming, 6 inches near Chestatee and 9 inches on Coal Mountain.
Between 1 and 6 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers included 1.5 to 5.5 inches in Decatur and 3.5 to 5.5 inches in Tucker as well as 3.5 inches in Dunwoody and 4 inches along the Fulton County line in east Atlanta.
Between 3 and 8 inches of snow were estimated across the county. The Fulton County Emergency Manager reported 7 inches in Milton.
Between 2 and 5 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS and COOP observers include 2.5 to 3.5 inches near Flowery Branch and 4 inches near Gainesville.
Between 2 and 6 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers included 2 to 2.5 inches around Dacula and 5 inches in Duluth.
Between 2 and 5 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from COOP and CoCoRaHS observers included 2.5 inches in Alto and 4.5 inches in Baldwin.
Between 1 and 3 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS and COOP observers included 1.4 inches Jonesboro and 1.7 inches in Morrow. The official measurement by the contract observers at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was 2.3 inches.
Between a trace and 3 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers included .4 inches near Woolsey, 1 inch in Peachtree City, 1.5 inches in Fayetteville and 2.5 inches in Tyrone.
Between 1 and 3 inches of snow were estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers included 2.4 inches around Auburn.
Between .5 and 1.5inches of snow were estimated across the county. The Columbus Airport Fire Station #2 reported 1 inch of snow.
Between .5 and 1.5 inches of snow was estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS and COOP observers included .7 inches in West Point, 1 inch southeast of LaGrange and 1.5 inches east of LaGrange.
Between .5 and 2 inches of snow was estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS and COOP observers included a trace east of McDonough and 1.7 inches northeast of Ellenwood.
Between .5 and 2 inches of snow was estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers included 1 inch southwest of Loganville.
Between .5 and 2 inches of snow was estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS observers included 1 inch near Pendergrass and 1.7 inches near Braselton.
Up to 1 inch of snow was estimated across the county. Reports from CoCoRaHS and COOP observers included .3 inches near Danielsville and .5 inches near Commerce.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated less than 1 inch of snow fell in Harris County.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated up to 1 inch of snow fell in Meriwether County.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated less than 1 inch of snow fell in Pike County.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated less than 1 inch of snow fell in Lamar County.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated less than 1 inch of snow fell in Spalding County.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated less than 1 inch of snow fell in Butts County.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated less than 1 inch of snow fell in Newton County.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated less than 1 inch of snow fell in Oconee County.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated less than 1 inch of snow fell in Clarke County.
A National Weather Service assessment of sensor data estimated up to 1 inch of snow fell in Rockdale County.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, December 2017
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 728139, 728140, 728141, 728142, 728143, 728144, 728145, 728146, 728147, 728148, 728149, 728150, 728151, 728152, 728153, 728154, 728155, 728156, 728157, 728158, 728159, 728160, 728161, 728162, 728163, 728164, 728165, 728173, 728166, 728172, 728175, 728169, 728171, 728168, 728167, 728170, 728176, 728177, 728178, 728179, and more.