Cold in Georgia, January 22, 2025

Name: Cold in Georgia, January 22, 2025
Start: 2025-01-22T03:00
End: 2025-01-22T10:00
Location: Georgia

January 22, 2025 · NWS GSP · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Strong northwest winds in the wake of another arctic cold front reinforced very cold air over the northeast Georgia mountains during the early morning hours of the 22nd. Temperatures in the single digits and teens and winds gusting from 15 to 25 mph resulted in minimum wind chill values of 0 to 10 during this time.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 22, 1:05 AM EST, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 22, 1:05 AM EST, 1 hour 55 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
105 AM EST Wed Jan 22 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
Arctic high pressure slowly weakens through the end of the work
week. A low pressure system will track to our south and east with
light snow accumulations to areas along and south of I-85. The
airmass will gradually modify by this weekend with temperatures
returning to around normal along with a return of precipitation
chances Monday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/...
Key Messages:

1) Snow has ended across our forecast area, however the current
Winter Weather Advisory will remain in effect until 9 AM this
morning due to hazardous road conditions that are expected over-
night and into the morning.

2) A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect until noon today for all
counties except Avery, where an Extreme Cold Warning is in effect.

3) Dry conditions return Wednesday with cold air still in place.

As of 12:35 AM EST Wednesday: The light snow showers have moved east
of our fcst area over the past few hrs. Nonetheless, with temperatures
expected to plummet into the teens outside the mtns and the single
digits in the mtns overnight and into the morning, little-to-no im-
provement is expected wrt road conditions. In fact, conditions may
deteriorate in some areas as currently wet roads freeze. Therefore,
the Winter Weather Advisory will remain in effect until 9 AM Wednesday.
For areas to the north, a Special Weather Statement has been updated
to reflect the potential for slick roads thru the overnight and into
the morning.

The other concern for the near term is the frigid, Arctic air that
remains in place. Tonight is expected to be the coldest of this
stretch, as weak cold advection followed by good radiational cooling
conditions developing after midnight allows temps to fall to the
single digits/teens. With the frontal passage tonight, there is an
uptick in winds, prompting even colder wind chills. For areas east
of the mountains, single digits are expected and below zero for the
mountains. Confidence is very high for these brutal temps, therefore
a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect from until noon on Wednesday
for almost all counties. With wind chills approaching -15 degrees, an
Extreme Cold Warning is in effect for the same time span in Avery
county. The remainder of Wednesday looks to be dry, cold, and mostly
sunny as high pressure returns to the area.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 140 PM Tuesday: A series of short waves cross the area through
the period with the stronger and deeper short wave moving through on
Friday. This will push a weak front through the area. There may be
enough low level moisture to bank up across the NC northern
mountains for snow showers to develop in the NW flow. However, that
is uncertain with even the normally wetter models not showing much
in the way of precip. Dry conditions, with periods of clouds during
short wave passage are expected for the period. The bigger story is
the Arctic air mass over the area. This slowly moderates with lows
15 to 20 degrees below normal Wed nite and 10 to 15 degrees below
normal Thu nite. Highs 10 to 15 degrees below normal Thursday and
around 10 degrees below normal Friday. Wind chill values will drop
into the single digits across the higher elevations Wed nite with
teens elsewhere. Similar wind chill values across the mountains Thu
nite with upper teens to lower 20s elsewhere.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 200 PM Tuesday: Zonal flow expected Saturday. A weak northern
stream short wave passes by to our north Sunday, a stronger one
moves through the area Monday, and a flat short wave ridge moves in
for Tuesday. At the surface, dry high pressure moves in Saturday and
to the east on Sunday. The GFS and ECMWF show a weak cold front
crossing the area Monday with dry high pressure Tuesday. This gives
us a chance of rain, with a wintry mix possible across the higher
elevations. The Canadian has more moisture and precip with a wintry
mix possible for many locations. Have gone with the guidance blend
for now which favors the GFS/EC scenario with chance precip Sunday
night and Monday. P-type should be rain for all but the NC mountains
where a warm nose or isothermal layer could lead to a wintry mix. Of
course, the exact p-type and any potential accums are very uncertain
this far out. Good agreement on a warming trend with highs and lows
rising to around normal by Sunday and remaining nearly steady
through the end of the period.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: With the snow showers having moved east of
our area over the past few hrs, we can expect dry, VFR conditions
to prevail thru the 06z taf period at all terminals. BKN/OVC high
clouds remain over most of our area, but they should clear from west
to east over the next 6 hrs or so, with mostly clear skies expected
by roughly 12z and for the rest of the taf period. Outside the mtns,
winds will remain N to NE thru the morning and then gradually veer
to more ELY and then SELY as the day wears on. They are expected
to go light and VRB to calm later tonight. At KAVL, winds will
remain N to NW thru the overnight/morning with gusts tapering
off by roughly 12z this morning. They will toggle around to SE
this afternoon, and then go light and VRB later this evening.

Outlook: Broad high pressure builds back over the region on Wed-
nesday and will persist thru the weekend, with VFR conditions
prevailing.

&&

.CLIMATE...
RECORDS FOR 01-22

               MAX TEMPERATURE         MIN TEMPERATURE
  STATION      HIGH        LOW         HIGH        LOW
  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   KAVL      73 1932     21 1960     59 1933      0 1970
   KCLT      74 1937     29 1970     60 1906      5 1970
   KGSP      72 1938     31 1970     58 1933      3 1893
                1921

RECORDS FOR 01-23

               MAX TEMPERATURE         MIN TEMPERATURE
  STATION      HIGH        LOW         HIGH        LOW
  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   KAVL      73 1927     20 2005     54 1999      1 1936
                            1936
   KCLT      75 1927     27 1970     59 1999      9 2003
   KGSP      73 1974     30 1970     58 1999      5 1893
                1927

RECORDS FOR 01-24

               MAX TEMPERATURE         MIN TEMPERATURE
  STATION      HIGH        LOW         HIGH        LOW
  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   KAVL      74 1949     18 1963     54 1950     -7 1963
   KCLT      74 1967     26 1948     54 1909      7 1963
   KGSP      76 1967     26 1948     59 1974      9 2014
                                                    1963

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Cold Weather Advisory until noon EST today for GAZ010-017-018-
     026-028-029.
     Winter Weather Advisory until 9 AM EST this morning for GAZ017-
     018-026-028-029.
NC...Cold Weather Advisory until noon EST today for NCZ035>037-
     048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510.
     Winter Weather Advisory until 9 AM EST this morning for
     NCZ070>072-082.
     Extreme Cold Warning until noon EST today for NCZ033.
SC...Cold Weather Advisory until noon EST today for SCZ008>014-019-
     101>109.
     Winter Weather Advisory until 9 AM EST this morning for
     SCZ009>014-019-104-107-109.

&&

SYNOPSIS...RWH
NEAR TERM...JDL/JPT
SHORT TERM...RWH
LONG TERM...RWH
AVIATION...JPT
CLIMATE...GSP

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 21, 6:03 PM EST, 8 hours 57 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
603 PM EST Tue Jan 21 2025

GAZ010-NCZ035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-068-069-501>510-SCZ008-
101>103-105-106-108-222315-
Rabun-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-
Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-
Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-
McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains-
Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Cherokee-
Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-Northern Spartanburg-
603 PM EST Tue Jan 21 2025

...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont
North Carolina, western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Cold Weather Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Cold Weather Advisory.

The arctic air mass remains over the area through Thursday allowing
very cold temperatures to continue, especially each night and
morning. Some higher elevations of the North Carolina mountains will
likely not see temperatures rise back above freezing until Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

GAZ017-018-026-028-029-NCZ070>072-082-SCZ009>014-019-104-107-109-
222315-
Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-
Union-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-Greenwood-
Greater Oconee-Southern Greenville-Southern Spartanburg-
603 PM EST Tue Jan 21 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST
WEDNESDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST WEDNESDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont
North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Winter Weather Advisory.
   Cold Weather Advisory.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Winter Weather Advisory.
   Cold Weather Advisory.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are requested to report snow and ice accumulations to our
office.

NCZ033-222315-
Avery-
603 PM EST Tue Jan 21 2025

...EXTREME COLD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO
NOON EST WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Extreme Cold Warning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Extreme Cold Warning.

The arctic air mass remains over the area through Thursday allowing
very cold temperatures to continue, especially each night and
morning. Some higher elevations of the North Carolina mountains will
likely not see temperatures rise back above freezing until Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

ARK

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jan 21, 10:22 PM EST, 4 hours 38 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1022 PM EST Tue Jan 21 2025

GAZ010-NCZ036-037-056-057-062>065-068-069-507>510-SCZ008-101>103-
105-106-108-221400-
Rabun-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Macon-Southern Jackson-
Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Rutherford Mountains-
Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Cherokee-
Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-Northern Spartanburg-
Including the cities of Clayton, Pine Mountain, Mountain City,
Statesville, Mooresville, Farmington, Fork Church, Mocksville,
Advance, Hickory, Newton, St. Stephens, Salisbury, Franklin,
Rainbow Springs, Kyle, Highlands, Wolf Mountain, Cashiers,
Brevard, Cedar Mountain, Little River, Hendersonville, Fletcher,
Dana, East Flat Rock, Tuxedo, Etowah, Shelby, Kings Mountain,
Lincolnton, Crouse, Chimney Rock State Park, Forest City,
Rutherfordton, Spindale, Saluda, Tryon, Columbus, Mill Spring,
Gaffney, Mountain Rest, Rocky Bottom, Glassy Mountain, Easley,
Dacusville, Clemson, Greenville, Taylors, Greer, Berea,
Boiling Springs Sc, Fingerville, Duncan, Lyman, Landrum,
Wellford, and Inman
1022 PM EST Tue Jan 21 2025

...HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...

Light snow fell across the western Carolinas Tuesday afternoon
and evening. While the more significant accumulations occurred
mainly along and south of the I-85 corridor, some locations to
the north saw a light dusting. Much of this snow stuck to roads,
while roads that did not become snow covered have plenty of wet
spots this evening. With temperatures expected to plummet to the
teens and single digits late tonight, any wet or snow-covered
roads will freeze and become very slick and hazardous. If
traveling across the area tonight into Wednesday morning,
including during the morning commute, slow down and allow for
plenty of space between yourself and other vehicles.

Lane

Local storm report, Jan 21, 11:51 PM EST, 3 hours 9 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1151 PM EST Tue Jan 21 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0815 PM     Snow             3 SSW Craven            35.59N 80.36W
01/21/2025  M0.3 Inch        Rowan              NC   Public

            This updates a previous report. Total
            snowfall 0.3 inches.

&&

ARK

Local storm report, Jan 21, 11:52 PM EST, 3 hours 8 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1152 PM EST Tue Jan 21 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0853 PM     Snow             1 SSE Matthews          35.11N 80.71W
01/21/2025  M0.3 Inch        Mecklenburg        NC   Public

&&

Local storm report, Jan 21, 11:55 PM EST, 3 hours 5 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1155 PM EST Tue Jan 21 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 PM     Snow             3 SE Mint Hill          35.14N 80.63W
01/21/2025  M0.6 Inch        Union              NC   Public

&&

ARK

Local storm report, Jan 22, 12:04 AM EST, 2 hours 56 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1204 AM EST Wed Jan 22 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0800 PM     Snow             4 WSW Crowders          35.17N 81.27W
01/21/2025  M0.1 Inch        Gaston             NC   Cocorahs

&&

ARK

Local storm report, Jan 22, 12:12 AM EST, 2 hours 48 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1212 AM EST Wed Jan 22 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0615 PM     Snow             5 W Williamston         34.61N 82.57W
01/21/2025  M0.4 Inch        Anderson           SC   Cocorahs

0629 PM     Snow             3 NNE Iva               34.35N 82.64W
01/21/2025  M0.1 Inch        Anderson           SC   Public

0645 PM     Snow             3 SSW Craven            35.59N 80.36W
01/21/2025  M0.1 Inch        Rowan              NC   Public

            Light snow still falling.

0653 PM     Snow             Mint Hill               35.17N 80.66W
01/21/2025  M0.1 Inch        Mecklenburg        NC   Public

0700 PM     Snow             3 SE Mint Hill          35.14N 80.63W
01/21/2025  M0.6 Inch        Union              NC   Public

0700 PM     Snow             Greenville-Spartanburg  34.88N 82.22W
01/21/2025  M0.1 Inch        Spartanburg        SC   Official NWS Obs

            KGSP. Snow has ended.

0700 PM     Snow             4 ENE Mauldin           34.81N 82.24W
01/21/2025  M0.5 Inch        Greenville         SC   Cocorahs

0740 PM     Snow             Davidson                35.50N 80.85W
01/21/2025  M0.1 Inch        Mecklenburg        NC   Trained Spotter

0752 PM     Snow             Mint Hill               35.17N 80.66W
01/21/2025  M0.4 Inch        Mecklenburg        NC   Public

            Updated report.

0800 PM     Snow             4 WSW Crowders          35.17N 81.27W
01/21/2025  M0.1 Inch        Gaston             NC   Cocorahs

0815 PM     Snow             5 SSW Paw Creek         35.21N 80.96W
01/21/2025  M0.3 Inch        Mecklenburg        NC   Official NWS Obs

            CLT observer measured 0.3 inches.

0815 PM     Snow             3 SSW Craven            35.59N 80.36W
01/21/2025  M0.3 Inch        Rowan              NC   Public

            This updates a previous report. Total
            snowfall 0.3 inches.

0817 PM     Snow             4 SW Center City Charlo 35.19N 80.90W
01/21/2025  E0.4 Inch        Mecklenburg        NC   Broadcast Media

            Still some light snow falling.

0853 PM     Snow             1 SSE Matthews          35.11N 80.71W
01/21/2025  M0.3 Inch        Mecklenburg        NC   Public

0855 PM     Snow             2 ENE Mauldin           34.80N 82.28W
01/21/2025  M0.2 Inch        Greenville         SC   Public

&&

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Cold/Wind Chill, Rabun

When: January 22, 3:00 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where: Rabun forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.882, -83.402 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Cold/Wind Chill: Cold or wind chill below warning criteria that caused deaths, injuries or damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Georgia in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Georgia, January 2025

Sources

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: 1233153.