How Much Did It Snow in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Snowfall in the City

If you live in Atlanta, you already know snow is more of a headline event than a regular part of winter. When people ask, “How much did it snow in Atlanta?”, they’re usually wondering about:

• How much snow Atlanta typically gets
• How much it snowed recently or during a particular storm
• How Atlanta snow compares to other places in Georgia

This guide breaks it down in clear, Atlanta-focused terms.

How Much Snow Does Atlanta Usually Get?

Atlanta is known for mild winters. On average, the city only sees around 1–2 inches of snow per year, and in many winters, no measurable snow falls at all.

A typical Atlanta winter might include:

• A few cold rain events
• Occasional flurries that melt on contact
• Every few years, light accumulation (dustings to 1–2 inches)
• Rare but memorable snow or ice storms

Most years, if you see snow in Atlanta, it’s brief, patchy, and gone quickly once temperatures rise.

Recent Snow in Atlanta: How to Check Exact Totals

If your question is about this week, this month, or a specific storm, the totals can change neighborhood by neighborhood. A band of heavier snow may hit northern Fulton County while downtown Atlanta barely gets a dusting.

To find exact, up-to-date snowfall amounts for Atlanta:

• Look up observations from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – this is the city’s primary official weather observation site.
• Check data for “Atlanta, GA” or “Fulton County” from major weather services.
• Pay attention to whether the totals listed are:
  • “Storm total” (for one event), or
  • “Season total” (for the entire winter so far).

Because I don’t have real-time access, the precise number for a specific recent date will need to come from a current weather source. But you can use the context below to understand whether what you experienced was typical or unusual for Atlanta.

How Often Does It Snow in Atlanta?

Snow in Atlanta is infrequent and inconsistent. Locals tend to remember the “big ones” because they stand out.

In a regular decade:

• Most winters:
  • Little to no accumulation in the city
  • Maybe a dusting that melts the same day
• Every few years:
  • A light snow event with 1–2 inches in parts of the metro
• Once in a long while:
  • A major winter storm that brings heavier snow or problematic ice

Because snow is rare, small amounts can still cause big disruptions in Atlanta, especially when mixed with freezing rain.

Snow vs. Ice in Atlanta

When people talk about “snow days” in Atlanta, they often mean any winter mess—snow, sleet, or freezing rain.

Locally, you’re more likely to experience:

• Freezing rain or ice on roads and bridges
• Black ice overnight after wet, cold evenings
• Sleet that looks like snow at a glance but behaves differently

This matters because:

• Even when snowfall totals are low, travel can be hazardous.
• A forecast of “wintry mix” can sometimes be worse than plain snow.

So if you’re asking, “How much did it snow in Atlanta?” because you’re worried about travel, you should also check if there was ice accumulation or freezing rain, not just snow totals.

Typical Snow Patterns Across Metro Atlanta

Within the Atlanta area, snowfall totals can vary from one part of the metro to another, even in the same storm.

General pattern:

• North of I-285 / Northern Suburbs (e.g., Sandy Springs, Roswell, Dunwoody, parts of Cobb and Gwinnett)

  • Slightly higher chance of accumulating snow
  • Sometimes get more inches than the urban core

• Inside the Perimeter (ITP) (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead)

  • Often see less snow and more cold rain
  • Urban heat and pavement can make snow melt faster

• South Metro (College Park, East Point, Union City, Clayton County areas)

  • More likely to see cold rain or brief, slushy snow
  • Accumulations usually lighter and less frequent

Even a difference of a few degrees can turn snow into rain or ice in one part of the metro and not another.

What Counts as “Snow” in Atlanta?

When you check how much it snowed, you might see numbers that don’t quite match what you saw outside. That’s because official snowfall totals follow certain rules.

Official measurements usually:

• Are taken on a flat, grassy surface, not pavement or cars
• Only count measurable snow, typically 0.1 inch or more
• Don’t include melted snow that fell as part rain, part snow

So you might think, “It snowed a lot at my apartment!” while the official total for Atlanta shows a small number. That’s normal because snow can stick differently on:

• Roads vs. grass
• Shaded vs. sunny areas
• Higher vs. lower elevations

Historic and Memorable Atlanta Snow Events (Context Only)

While you’re asking how much it snowed now or recently, it can help to know that Atlanta occasionally sees headline-making winter storms. Residents often compare new storms to a few key events to decide whether something was “a big one” or not.

These bigger events are unusual, and city services and daily life can be heavily affected when they occur. That’s part of why even a few inches of snow can get so much attention here.

How Snow Affects Daily Life in Atlanta

Even small snowfall totals can have practical impacts in the city.

Common local effects:

• School closures or delays
• Government office changes (delayed openings or remote work guidance)
• Public transit adjustments, especially along hills and bridges
• Empty shelves at grocery stores before a forecasted event
• Road closures on steep or shaded streets

If you rely on MARTA, Gwinnett County Transit, or other local services, it’s important to check for winter weather changes whenever snow or ice is in the forecast.

Where Atlanta Residents Can Get Official Weather & Snow Information

When you want accurate snowfall info—not just photos on social media—official and well-established sources are your best bet.

Here are some key Atlanta-area resources that residents and visitors commonly use:

National Weather Service – Atlanta Area

National Weather Service (NWS) – Peachtree City / Atlanta Office
4 Falcon Drive
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone: 770-486-1133

This office issues:

• Winter weather advisories, watches, and warnings for the Atlanta region
• Storm-total estimates and maps
• Forecast discussions explaining what’s expected and why

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

The airport is a primary location for official Atlanta weather observations, including:

• Snowfall totals
• Temperature and precipitation data
• Visibility and runway conditions that affect flights

If your question is travel-related—“Did it snow enough to affect flights?”—airport conditions and national aviation updates are especially helpful.

Practical Tips for Atlantans When It Snows 🌨️

Even if the measured snow amount is low, it helps to be prepared when winter weather hits.

For residents and visitors:

• Check multiple sources
  • Look at a major weather service plus NWS Atlanta for snow and ice details.
• Pay attention to timing
  • In Atlanta, problems often begin after sunset when wet roads can freeze.
• Plan travel carefully
  • Hills, bridges, and overpasses can become slick even with small snow totals.
• Monitor local government updates
  • The City of Atlanta and Fulton County often share closure or delay info during winter weather.

So, How Much Did It Snow in Atlanta?

In general:

• Atlanta averages only about 1–2 inches of snow per year, and
• Many winters go by with little or no measurable snow in the city itself.

For a specific day, storm, or winter season, you’ll need to look at current local data for “Atlanta, GA” or Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Once you have the numbers, you can compare them to the typical pattern above:

Understanding that Atlanta is a low-snow, high-impact city helps explain why even modest snowfall can feel like a big deal—and why the question “How much did it snow in Atlanta?” matters so much whenever flakes start to fall.