A strong surface low and cold front associated with a large and deep upper-level trough, brought light to moderate snow to much of north and central Georgia from the afternoon of the January 16th through the morning of January 17th. With most of the precipitation post-frontal, temperatures were well below freezing (lower to mid 20s) as the snow occurred.
Every event with a place to put it; 91 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.
A strong surface low and cold front associated with a large and deep upper-level trough, brought light to moderate snow to much of north and central Georgia from the afternoon of the January 16th through the morning of January 17th. With most of the precipitation post-frontal, temperatures were well below freezing (lower to mid 20s) as the snow occurred. This resulted in widespread icy and snow-packed roadways across the area, especially those that were not pre-treated by GDOT or Public Works.
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 Jan 16, 2:26 PM EST, 34 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 226 PM EST Tue Jan 16 2018 .SHORT TERM /Tonight through Wednesday Night/... Models in pretty good agreement with the current system moving across the Southeast U.S. There are some differences in the snow amounts but all agree that the area moving across north Georgia will weaken as frontogenesis develops across southern/central AL and into central GA. This will enhance the snow amounts across central Georgia tonight and for this reason we have extended the Winter Weather Advisory eastward across central Georgia tonight. As for snow amounts, a band of heavier snow will set up across central Georgia but as to the exact location this is difficult to pin point. And since this is a fast moving clipper amounts will be limited. Have generally gone with up to 2 inches. Downsloping immediately southeast of the mountains will aid in keeping snow amounts lighter. The snow will move out of the CWA by Wednesday morning however northwest winds will become strong and gusty. Black ice could be an issue across north and central Georgia Wednesday morning and for this reason we have extended the Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM Wednesday. With the cold temperatures wind chills are expected to drop into the advisory category and therefore will maintain the wind chill advisory across north Georgia. Will also mention the strong gusty winds in the wind chill advisory as well as state a wind advisory may be needed for Wednesday. 17 .LONG TERM /Thursday through Tuesday/... No changes made to the long term portion of the forecast. NListemaa The previous long term discussion is below... A deep trough will be moving off the east coast at the start of the period with a transition to a northwest to west flow aloft. A very dry air mass will spread over the forecast area and persist until late in the weekend. GFS/ECMWF in general agreement of an increase in moisture on Sunday as high pressure moves off the east coast and low level winds become southerly. A strong short wave moving through the upper MS Valley late Sunday into Monday will push a cold front through north and central GA on Monday. Pops will increase across the area Sunday into Monday. A strip of low CAPE approaches the west central counties on Monday and isolated thunder is not out of the question...but for now have kept the mention of thunder out. 41 && .AVIATION... 18Z Update... VFR conditions with ceilings lowering to lower VFR, then MVFR ceilings for much of the area N and W. Precip could briefly start as rain but change to snow most areas with some MVFR vsby restrictions. Snow ends later tonight to early Wednesday. Surface winds WSW 10 kts or less becoming NNW and increasing 15-20 kts with gusts 25 to 30 kts later tonight and Wednesday. //ATL Confidence...18Z Update... Low confidence for vsbys due to snow. Medium confidence for ceilings. High confidence for winds and weather(meaning snow). BDL && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 24 34 19 47 / 60 10 0 0 Atlanta 17 29 19 42 / 80 10 0 0 Blairsville 11 25 12 43 / 80 10 0 0 Cartersville 13 28 16 42 / 80 5 0 0 Columbus 20 33 21 47 / 80 10 0 0 Gainesville 19 30 19 44 / 50 10 0 0 Macon 26 36 20 47 / 80 40 0 0 Rome 12 29 16 43 / 80 5 0 0 Peachtree City 18 31 18 44 / 80 10 0 0 Vidalia 34 40 24 48 / 30 30 0 0 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM EST Wednesday for the following zones: Baldwin...Banks...Barrow...Bibb...Bleckley... Butts...Carroll...Chattahoochee...Cherokee...Clarke...Clayton... Cobb...Coweta...Crawford...Crisp...Dawson...DeKalb...Dodge... Dooly...Douglas...Fayette...Forsyth...Glascock...Greene... Gwinnett...Hall...Hancock...Haralson...Harris...Heard...Henry... Houston...Jackson...Jasper...Jefferson...Johnson...Jones... Lamar...Laurens...Lumpkin...Macon...Madison...Marion... Meriwether...Monroe...Morgan...Muscogee...Newton...North Fulton...Oconee...Oglethorpe...Paulding...Peach...Pike... Pulaski...Putnam...Rockdale...Schley...South Fulton...Spalding... Stewart...Sumter...Talbot...Taliaferro...Taylor...Troup... Twiggs...Upson...Walton...Warren...Washington...Webster... White...Wilcox...Wilkes...Wilkinson. Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM EST Wednesday for the following zones: Bartow...Catoosa...Chattooga...Dade...Fannin... Floyd...Gilmer...Gordon...Murray...Pickens...Polk...Towns... Union...Walker...Whitfield. Wind Chill Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 8 AM EST Thursday for the following zones: Dawson...Fannin...Gilmer...Lumpkin... Pickens...Towns...Union...White. Wind Chill Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 1 PM EST Wednesday for the following zones: Bartow...Carroll...Catoosa... Chattooga...Cherokee...Clayton...Cobb...Coweta...Dade...DeKalb... Douglas...Fayette...Floyd...Forsyth...Gordon...Gwinnett...Hall... Haralson...Harris...Heard...Henry...Meriwether...Murray...North Fulton...Paulding...Pike...Polk...Rockdale...South Fulton... Spalding...Troup...Walker...Whitfield. && SHORT TERM...17 LONG TERM....NListemaa AVIATION...BDL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 241 PM EST Tue Jan 16 2018 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-171945- 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- 241 PM EST Tue Jan 16 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... Accumulations up to 2 inches of snow and dangerous wind chills are expected for much of north and west Georgia this afternoon and tonight. Please reference the Winter Weather Advisory and the Wind Chill Advisory for snowfall totals and wind chill values. Black ice is also possible tonight across portions of north and west Georgia, where wet roads may re-freeze overnight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... Some light snow is possible for extreme east central Georgia on Wednesday morning with less than half an inch accumulation expected. Also, a Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect through Wednesday afternoon for portions of north and west Georgia and through Thursday morning for portions of northeast Georgia. Please refer to the Wind Chill Advisory for more information. Also, winds will be very gusty on Wednesday and a Wind Advisory may be needed. Otherwise...no hazardous weather is expected at this time. .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.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
64 winter weather, 27 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Dade County received a light dusting of snow across the county.
The Walker County Emergency Manager reported up to a half of an inch of snow accumulation in the higher elevations over the northern portion of the county.
Amateur radio operators and CoCoRaHS observers reported between a quarter and a half of an inch of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports from amateur radio operators and social media were received of between a quarter and a half of an inch of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports from COOP observers and social media were received of an inch of snow accumulation in the Chatsworth area.
The Gilmer County Emergency Manager reported between a half of an inch and one inch of snow accumulation across the county.
CoCoRaHS observers reported between one and one and a half inches of snow accumulation in the Blue Ridge and Morganton areas.
CoCoRaHS observers reported between a half of an inch and one inches of snow accumulation in the Blairsville area.
A trained spotter reported a half of an inch of snow accumulation near Hiawassee.
The Chattooga County Emergency Manager reported up to around a quarter of an inch of snow accumulation across the county.
A COOP observer reported a very light dusting of snow near Rome.
A trained spotter reported a very light dusting of snow in the northwest corner of the county.
A COOP observer reported a half of an inch of snow accumulation near Jasper.
An amateur radio operator reported an inch and a half of snow accumulation near Rockmart.
Reports of one inch to an inch and a half of snow accumulation were received over social media in the Cartersville and Kingston areas.
Reports of a half of an inch to an inch of snow accumulation were received over social media.
Reports of an inch or less of snow accumulation were received from the public.
Reports of a half of an inch or less of snow accumulation were received from a trained spotter and the public.
Reports of an inch to an inch and a half of snow accumulation were received from CoCoRaHS and COOP observers around Gainesville and Flowery Branch.
Reports of a quarter to a half of an inch of snow accumulation were received from CoCoRaHS and COOP.
Reports were received from CoCoRaHS observers and over social media of one to over two inches of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports were received from the Haralson County Emergency Manager and over social media of one and a half to two inches of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports were received from COOP observers and over social media of one and a half to two inches of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports were received from CoCoRaHS observers and over social media of one to two inches of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports of a half to three quarters of an inch of snow accumulation were received from CoCoRaHS observers.
Reports of an inch to an inch and a half of snow accumulation were received from amateur radio operators CoCoRaHS observers.
Reports of an inch to an inch and a half of snow accumulation were received from COOP and CoCoRaHS observers.
The Barrow County Emergency Manager reported up to an inch of snow accumulation with numerous traffic accidents on the slick roads across the county. No injuries were reported.
A trained spotter reported an inch and a half of snow accumulation in Walnut Grove.
Trained spotters reported an inch to an inch and a half of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports were received from CoCoRaHS observers and social media of an inch to an inch and a half of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports were received from CoCoRaHS observers and social media of an inch to an inch and three quarters of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports were received from CoCoRaHS observers and over social media of one to two inches of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports were received from the Douglas County Emergency Manager, CoCoRaHS observers and over social media of one to two inches of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports were received from CoCoRaHS observers, broadcast media and over social media of one to two inches of snow accumulation across the area.
Reports were received from CoCoRaHS observers, broadcast media and over social media of one to two inches of snow accumulation across the area.
Reports were received from a National Weather Service employee, CoCoRaHS observers and over social media of one to two inches of snow accumulation across the area.
Reports were received from CoCoRaHS observers and over social media of one to two inches of snow accumulation across the county.
A CoCoRaHS observer reported two inches of snow accumulation near Covington.
Two to three inches of snow accumulation were estimated across the county.
National Weather Service employees, CoCoRaHS and COOP observers and the public reported an inch and a half to over three inches of snow accumulation across the county.
National Weather Service employees, CoCoRaHS observers and the public reported an inch and a half to three inches of snow accumulation across the county.
CoCoRaHS and ASOS observers and the public reported an inch and a half to three inches of snow accumulation across the county. The ASOS official observation was 2.3 inches at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
COOP and CoCoRaHS observers and the public reported an inch and a half to two and a half inches of snow accumulation across the county.
The Spalding County Emergency Manager reported two to three inches of snow accumulation across the county, including 2.8 inches measured in Griffin.
Reports were received from the broadcast media and over social media of two to three inches of snow accumulation in the Hogansville and LaGrange areas.
Reports were received from the broadcast media and over social media of one and a half to over two inches of snow accumulation across the county.
The Pike County Emergency Manager reported one to two inches of snow accumulation across the county. Several traffic accidents were reported on the slick roads, however no injuries were reported.
The Lamar County Emergency Manager reported around one inch of snow accumulation in the Barnesville area with reports from the public of up to two inches elsewhere across the county.
The Morgan County Emergency Manager reported two inches of snow accumulation in the Madison area.
Reports of one to two inches of snow accumulation were received from the public.
Reports of two to three inches of snow accumulation were received from CoCoRaHS observers and the broadcast media.
Reports of one and a half to three inches of snow accumulation were received from COOP observers and the broadcast media, mainly around the Columbus area. Numerous traffic accidents were reported on the slick roads, however no injuries were reported.
The Talbot County Emergency Manager reported 2 inches of snow accumulation in the Woodland area. Numerous traffic accidents were reported on the slick roads, however no injuries were reported.
The public reported between one and two inches of snow accumulation across the county.
Reports of between one and two inches of snow accumulation were received from amateur radio operators and trained spotters across the county.
A report of an inch and a half of snow accumulation in the Hillsboro area was received over social media.
The public reported around an inch of snow accumulation.
The ASOS observer measured an inch of snow accumulation at the Macon airport. The Bibb County Emergency Manager reported several accidents caused by the slick roads. On I-75 around mile marker 160, a car slid off of the roadway hitting the guardrail. A second car also lost control and slid off of the roadway at this location, striking and killing the driver of the first car who had exited the vehicle and a passenger still inside the first vehicle.
The Putnam Emergency Manager reported around an inch and a quarter of snow accumulation in the Linchburg area with between an inch and an inch and a half average across the county. Two serious accidents were reported due to the slick roads with two injuries also reported.
A CoCoRaHS observer reported two and a half inches of snow accumulation north of Fort Valley.
Reports were received from the broadcast media and over social media of up to an inch of snow accumulation in parts of the county.
Reports were received from COOP and CoCoRaHS observers of a half to three quarters of an inch of snow accumulation across the county.
A CoCoRaHS observer measured three quarters of an inch of snow accumulation near Greensboro.
Around an inch of snow accumulation was estimated across the county based on news media and public reports.
The Stewart County Emergency Manager estimated around a quarter to a half of an inch of snow accumulation across the county.
The broadcast media reported an inch and a half of snow accumulation in Buena Vista. Law Enforcement reported at least one accident due to the slick roads. No injuries were reported.
The Webster County Emergency Manager reported around three quarters of an inch of snow accumulation in Preston.
Snow accumulations of less than one inch were estimated across the county. Local Law Enforcement reported a traffic accident with one injury along Highway 128 near Butler.
The Schley County Emergency Manager reported around a half of an inch of snow accumulation in Ellaville.
The Peach County Emergency Manager reported up to a half of an inch of snow accumulation in parts of the county.
A CoCoRaHS observer measured a quarter of an inch of snow accumulation near Perry.
A COOP observer measured just under a half of an inch of snow accumulation near Washington.
The Taliaferro County Emergency reported a half of an inch of snow accumulation in Crawfordville.
The Hancock County Emergency reported a half of an inch of snow accumulation in Sparta.
The Warren County Emergency reported around a quarter of an inch of snow accumulation in Warrenton.
A COOP observer measured a quarter of an inch of snow accumulation near Americus. Local law enforcement officials reported a traffic accident due to the slick roads, however no injuries were reported.
A trained spotter measured just over a half of an inch of snow accumulation near Ideal.
A quarter to a half of an inch of snow accumulation was estimated across portions of the county based on public and news media reports.
The Crisp County Emergency Manager estimated around a half of an inch of snow accumulation across portions of the county.
The Twiggs County Emergency Manager estimated between a quarter and a half of an inch of snow accumulation across portions of the county.
The public reported a light dusting of snow in Cochran.
The Pulaski County Emergency Manager and a COOP observer reported a quarter to a half of an inch of snow accumulation in parts of the county.
The Wilcox County Emergency Manager reported a light dusting of snow accumulation around Abbeville.
A trained spotter reported less than a quarter of an inch of snow accumulation around Irwinton.
The Washington County Emergency Manager reported around a quarter of an inch of snow accumulation around Sandersville.
The Glascock County Emergency Manager reported around a quarter of an inch of snow accumulation around Gibson.
The Jefferson County Emergency Manager reported a dusting of snow, mainly on grassy areas and elevated surfaces.
The Johnson County Emergency Manager reported around a quarter of an inch of snow accumulation, mainly on grassy areas and elevated surfaces.
A trained spotter reported a dusting of snow in the Dublin area.
The Dodge County Emergency Manager reported a dusting of snow across the county.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Weather, Bibb | 2018-01-17 | 48 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Indirect |
| Winter Weather, Bibb | 2018-01-17 | 63 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, January 2018
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: 733707, 733708, 733709, 733710, 733711, 733712, 733713, 733714, 733715, 733716, 733717, 733718, 733719, 733720, 733721, 733722, 733723, 733724, 733726, 733727, 733735, 733736, 733737, 733738, 733725, 733728, 733729, 733730, 733731, 733732, 733733, 733734, 733739, 733740, 733741, 733742, 733743, 733744, 733745, 733746, and more.