WINTER WEATHER: Governor declares state of emergency for 83 Georgia counties

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ATLANTA — Snow is falling across north Georgia and the metro Atlanta area -- and Severe Weather Team 2 warns it'll be "dangerously cold" over the next two days.

LIVE Severe Weather Team 2 coverage continues on Channel 2 Action News This Morning. 

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Minute-by-Minute: 

5:26 a.m. Minton hearing reports out of Douglasville of 1.75" of snow and still snowing.

5:11 a.m. Ground delay at Atlanta airport.

5:10 a.m. Snow is ending in the northwest GA mountains now, but will continue on the south side for the next 4-5 hours, Severe Weather Team 2 says.

4:55 a.m. Channel 2's Mark Winne says there is snow falling in Brookhaven.

4:52 a.m. The ice is covering the roads and you cannot see the lane markings in most locations, Hiram police say.

4:44 a.m. Winter Weather Advisory through mid morning for much of north Georgia.

4:35 a.m. Due to deteriorating road conditions, Georgia Tech will cancel classes and close campus Wednesday.

4:26 a.m. Overturned salt truck shuts down exit ramp to Sugarloaf Pkwy. on Hwy. 316 WB in Gwinnett County.

4:00 a.m. Due to winter weather, Channel 2 Action News This Morning started at 4 a.m.

3:43 a.m. Wind Chill Advisory extended across metro Atlanta through late this afternoon.

3:13 a.m. Winter Weather Advisory extended until 2 p.m. for all of north Georgia.

11:44 p.m.

DeKalb County Public Libraries are closed Wednesday:

11:17 p.m.

GA Department of Driver Services Conyers’ Headquarters Offices including the Customer Call Center plus the following Customer Service Centers will be closed Wednesday:

1.       Rock Spring
2.       Canton
3.       Calhoun
4.       Cartersville
5.       Dalton
6.       Blairsville (PT)
7.       Rome
8.       Blue Ridge
9.       Cedartown
10.   Gainesville
11.   Kennesaw
12.   Marietta
13.   Carrollton
14.   Dallas
15.   Newnan
16.   Alpharetta
17.   Norcross
18.   Elberton
19.   Toccoa
20.   Between
21.   Lawrenceville
22.   Fayetteville
23.   Forest Park
24.   Atlanta
25.   Cumming
26.   Covington
27.   Lithonia
28.   Jackson
29.   Locust Grove
30.   Conyers
31.   Decatur
32.   Athens
33.   Greensboro
34.   Milledgeville
35.   Sandersville (PT)
36.   Thomson
37.   Evans
38.   Augusta
39.   Lagrange
40.   Griffin
41.   Thomaston
42.   Columbus
43.   Ft Benning (PT)
44.   Macon

11:11 p.m.

Forsyth County says they will have an online learning day Wednesday

10:55 p.m.

The City of Dunwoody administrative offices will open at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday

10:50 p.m.

Cleburne County Schools closed Wednesday

10:44 p.m.

In official statement from Gwinnett County Public Schools, they say Wednesday will be a Digital Learning day:

"Gwinnett County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, January 17, due to inclement weather. The day will be a Digital Learning Day for students and identified employees. Students should log in to their teacher's eCLASS C&I page to access assignments. Again, Gwinnett schools will be closed Wednesday, January 17, and it will be a digital learning day."

10:34 p.m.

DeKalb County offices, libraries, senior centers and recreation centers will be closed Wednesday. All DeKalb County courts, the office of the Clerk of Superior Court and Board of Equalization will be closed as well.

10:27 p.m.

The City of Forest Park municipal court is closed Wednesday. All people scheduled for court will be notified as soon as possible for rescheduling.

10:25 p.m.

City of Smyrna offices will open at noon on Wednesday.

10:23 p.m.

Gwinnett County Schools closed Wednesday

10:15 p.m.

Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency for 83 counties:

"Gov. Nathan Deal tonight issued a state of emergency due to winter weather for 83 counties, spanning much of central and north Georgia. This line extends from Columbus to Macon to Augusta and northward. State government will be closed tomorrow in the impacted areas for non-essential personnel. 
 
“Following the latest update from the National Weather Service, and acting upon the recommendation from the state’s Emergency Operations Command, I’ve issued an executive order closing state government for non-essential personnel tomorrow,” said Deal. “The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will continue treating our roads and interstates. To ensure people’s safety and to allow GDOT to do its job, I urge people to remain home and off the roads. We will continue monitoring the weather and will provide updates as necessary.”

Governor Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency due to winter weather in Georgia.

10:08 p.m.

The City of Atlanta government offices and the Municipal Court of Atlanta will be closed on Wednesday.

10:07 p.m.

Kennesaw police say light snow is covering roads

9:58 p.m. 

Walton and Newton County schools are closed Wednesday.

9:54 p.m.

DeKalb County Board of Health centers will be closed Wednesday.

9:22 p.m.

Fulton County Schools have closed for Wednesday: Full closings here

9:21 p.m.

Oconee County Schools will be closed on Wednesday: Full closings here

9:17 p.m.

DeKalb County Schools will be closed for Wednesday: Full closings here

9:14 p.m.

Georgia Gwinnett College will delay opening Wednesday until noon.

9:10 p.m.

Oglethorpe County Schools will be closed Wednesday.

9:01 p.m.

Atlanta Public Schools has canceled school for Wednesday.

8:58 p.m.

Paulding County Government Offices will have a delayed opening Wednesday. Paulding County Government Offices, including the Courthouse, will open at 1:00 p.m.

8:55 p.m.

Cherokee County Schools have canceled classes for Wednesday

8:54 p.m.

GDOT urges drivers to use caution if they have to be on the roads

8:46 p.m.

The City of Atlanta will open a third emergency overflow warming center at the Grant Park Recreation Center at 9:00 p.m. The center is located at 537 Park Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312. Men, women and children are welcome.

The warming centers at Old Adamsville and Central Park are expected to reach capacity overnight. Transportation to the Grant Park Warming Center will be provided to those seeking shelter.

8:43 p.m.

Marietta City Schools closed for Wednesday: Full closings here

8:40 p.m.

Bartow County Schools will be closed to students and staff Wednesday

8:37 p.m.

Douglas County Schools closed Wednesday

8:30 p.m.

8:28 p.m.

Cobb County Schools closed Wednesday:

8:22 p.m. 

Bremen City Schools have closed for Wednesday: Full closings here

8:01 p.m.

Heard County Schools have closed for Wednesday: Full closings here

7:57 p.m.

Fayette County Schools closed for Wednesday: Full closings here

7:51 p.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns says Scattered snow showers continue in the metro and NW GA.

7:38 p.m.

Channel 2's Berndt Petersen reports light flurries are falling in Forsyth County

7:36 p.m. 

Channel 2's Nefertiti Jaquez reports snow has started to fall in Villa Rica:

7:17 p.m.

The Channel 2 Action News Nightbeat will be going on an hour early tonight, beginning at 10 p.m.

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6:47 p.m.

Clayton County Schools will be closed Wednesday.

“This decision is made in the interest of keeping our students, their families and our employees safe during the anticipated adverse weather conditions,” said Dr. Morcease J. Beasley, CCPS Superintendent of Schools. “We will continue to monitor weather conditions and issue further advisories as necessary as it relates to business operations on Thursday, January 18.”

6:38 p.m.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is urging passengers to check their airline for flight status with winter weather moving through metro.

6:00 p.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns just updated his forecast on Channel 2 Action News at 6.

5:51 p.m.

Temps are dropping in Cherokee County and snow flurries are beginning to fall.

5:47 p.m. 

Snow beginning to fall near Rome.

5:40 p.m.

Lamar County Schools will be closed Wednesday, for all students and staff: Full Closings here

5:27 p.m.

Henry County Schools closed tomorrow.

5:26 p.m.

Carrollton City Schools closed Wednesday.

5:21 p.m. 

Carroll County Schools closed Wednesday:Full Closings here

5:00 p.m.

Governor gives update on state's response to winter weather:

4:38 p.m.

Troup County Schools will be closed Wednesday

4:35 p.m.

Atlanta Community Food Bank canceling events tonight:

4:21 p.m.

Troup County Government will be closed Wednesday

4:17 p.m.

Cobb County will delay government operations until 10 a.m. Wednesday.

4:16 p.m.

Monroe County Schools will be closed Wednesday for both students and staff.

4:10 p.m.

Gwinnett Tech closing their campuses at 5 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

State officials say they're monitoring the incoming weather, but as of now, there are now emergency declarations.

3:46 p.m.

Gwinnett County is opening a public warming center. Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church has agreed to open its doors at 4 p.m. Tuesday at 182 Hunter Street in Norcross.

3:34 p.m.

Brine trucks are moving out across the metro to pre-treat area roadways ahead of snow, bitt cold moving in.

3:25 p.m.

Fayette County Schools canceling afterschool events Tuesday past 5 p.m.:

"We are canceling all extracurricular activities that are taking place after 5 p.m. today due to concerns of slick roadways this evening. We are also asking parents to pick up elementary After School Program students by 5 p.m. We are continuing to monitor the weather situation, and are working closely with Fayette County Emergency Services and the National Weather Service to get the latest information about how the rain and cold temperatures are going to impact our area. We will make a decision no later than 8 p.m. today about whether or not to have school on Wednesday."

3:23 p.m.

Douglas County will be opening a warming center overnight Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Jan. 16 into Wednesday morning 8:30 a.m. Jan. 17 at the First United Methodist Church, 6167 Prestley Mill Rd, Douglasville, Ga.

Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department has announced  the Deer Lick Activity Center and Boundary Waters Aquatic Center will be closing at 5:00 p.m. All parks will close at 5:30 p.m.

The Woodie Fite Senior Center is closing this afternoon at 4:00 p.m.

2:59 p.m.

Gwinnett County schools has canceled all evening activities past 8 p.m. Tuesday because of the anticipated wintry weather.

2:56 p.m.

DeKalb County is opening 3 warming shelters, set to open at 7 p.m. Tuesday

•    Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Ave, Avondale GA 30002
•    Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA 30316
•    Fire Station 21, 1090 Crown Point Pkwy, Atlanta GA. 30338

2:40 p.m.

The Winter Weather Advisory that goes into effect at 5 p.m. has been extended and expanded.

2:30 p.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns and Meteorologist Brad Nitz are answering your questions.

2:11 p.m.

DeKalb County Schools cancel all after-school activities.

12:32 p.m.

Clayton County Schools cancel all after-school and evening programs Tuesday.

12:28 p.m.

Atlanta Public Schools cancel after school activities for Tuesday.

12:21 p.m.

Monahan says what falls tonight will stick around through around midday Thursday.

12:18 p.m.

Fulton County Schools cancels after school activities Tuesday.

"Parents who have children in after-school programs should be prepared to pick them up or make other arrangements. The community meeting for school board members Linda Bryant and Kimberly Dove also is canceled for tonight.

The school district will continue to monitor the weather and share updates as appropriate. Please stay tuned to the district’s website, social media accounts, and local news media for updates."

12:07 p.m.

Due to tonight’s winter weather and wind chill advisory, all afterschool activities and programs involving Douglas County Students Tuesday have been canceled.

"All parents are encouraged to pick up their students by 4pm. Students who usually stay for ASP should be picked up no later than 4pm. All buses will run their regular schedule. 
Any decision to close school or alter the school schedule because of severe weather involves carefully analyzing local conditions, and assessing the risks with direct guidance from our local authorities. We will continue assessing and monitoring the weather throughout the day and evening. Any potential changes to the school schedule will be shared through social media, local media, NotifyMe and phone calls through ParentLink."

12:06 p.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan says by 7 p.m., expect rain, mix showers around metro Atlanta with areas of light snow and snow showers north and west.

12:04 p.m.

Due to forecasted winter weather in the Southeast, a weather waiver has been issued for travel on Tuesday and Wednesday for Delta Airlines.

12:03 p.m.

All Cherokee County evening and extracurricular activities are cancelled for Tuesday.

11:59 a.m.

All campuses of Chattahoochee Technical College will close Tuesday. No evening classes.

11:57 a.m.

Crews with GDOT are pretreating roads ahead of winter weather.

11:26 a.m.

Due to inclement weather, all evening activities are canceled Tuesday night for Paulding County Schools.

11:22 a.m.

All extracurricular and evening activities for Carroll County Schools are cancelled.

11:01 a.m.

Cobb County Schools afternoon and evening activities canceled for Tuesday, January 16, except after school program, which will operate on a normal schedule.

10:56 a.m.

Nitz says snow is approaching northwest Georgia now. "It will be moving in over the next few hours."

10:33 a.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz is answering your questions LIVE on Facebook about the incoming weather. Post your questions in the comments of the post below.

10:25 a.m.

Channel 2's Tony Thomas says the National Weather Service says many parts of north Georgia will remain below freezing for 48 hours plus.

10:15 a.m.

Gwinnett authorities being briefed by the National Weather Service on wintry weather coming.

10:05 a.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz says we are just hours away from snow moving into north Georgia.

9:46 a.m.

Fulton County Schools spokeswoman tells Channel 2's Mike Petchenik they are having briefings "throughout the day" as weather forecast updates. No timing yet for decision on tomorrow's school day.

8:45 a.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Karen Minton says our viewing area is going to see some snow this afternoon and evening.

8:39 a.m.

Polk County latest district to announce early dismissal due to snow potential.

8:07 a.m.

Bartow County Schools announce early dismissal ahead of snow potential.

Not only is snow in the forecast but it will be "dangerously cold" over the next two days in metro Atlanta, Severe Weather Team 2 warns.

Click here for a full list of closings and delays

A winter weather advisory is set to go into effect at 12 p.m. Tuesday and will last through 7 a.m. Wednesday for the north Georgia mountains from Floyd to Towns counties. The metro counties, including Atlanta and down to Upson County, will have a winter weather advisory going into effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday and will last through 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said the possible snow arrives in north Georgia Tuesday afternoon and will move through the area over the next several hours.

"It's going to get very cold and windy," Minton said.

What viewers can only get on Channel 2 Action News: 

  • Updated hour-by-hour cloud and precipitation forecast showing the potential for mix, snow showers across north Georgia on Tuesday afternoon, evening and Wednesday morning.
  • Updated forecast accumulation maps showing any areas that have the potential for accumulating snow Tuesday into early Wednesday.
  • Jet stream and temperature map showing the much colder air moving in for mid-week.

Behind the Arctic front, Minton said the Rome area will begin to see a wintry mix around 3 p.m.

"The metro area will start to see precipitation around 6 to 8 p.m.," Minton said.

Models are still changing on the amounts of snow, but Minton said counties in west Georgia could see half an inch to an inch of snow, the mountains could see 1 to 3 inches, and the metro Atlanta area could see half an inch to a dusting.

"We are several hours away from the event so changes are still possible," Minton said.