Atlanta, Georgia Snow: What Residents and Visitors Need to Know

Snow in Atlanta, Georgia is rare, memorable, and often disruptive. If you live in the city, plan to move here, or are visiting during winter, it helps to understand how snow really works in Atlanta—how often it happens, what it’s like when it does, and how the city responds.

Does It Snow in Atlanta, Georgia?

Yes, Atlanta does get snow, but not very often and usually not very much.

• Most winters see a dusting to a couple of light events
• Some winters bring no measurable snow at all
• Occasionally, Atlanta experiences significant winter storms that cause major travel and power disruptions

Atlanta’s climate is considered humid subtropical, which means winters are generally mild. Cold air and Gulf moisture don’t line up very often, so true snow events are relatively infrequent.

When Does It Usually Snow in Atlanta?

Atlanta’s snow season is short and focused:

• Most likely months: January and February
• Possible but less common: Late December or early March
• Very rare: Before December or after March

Even in peak months, many days are mild with daytime highs well above freezing. Snow that does fall often melts quickly, especially on sunny days or warm ground.

How Much Snow Does Atlanta Typically Get?

Compared with many U.S. cities, Atlanta gets very little snow each year.

Most years fall into one of these patterns:

The “average” winter includes at least one event that covers grassy areas and rooftops, but full white landscapes across the whole metro area are still uncommon.

Why Even Small Snowfall Causes Big Problems in Atlanta

People moving from colder regions are often surprised by how disruptive even 1–2 inches can be here. That’s mostly due to temperature patterns, preparation levels, and local infrastructure:

1. Rapid Freeze and Black Ice

Atlanta often sees marginal temperatures—right around freezing—with rain changing to snow or sleet:

• Roads may be wet when temperatures suddenly drop below 32°F
• This can create black ice, which is extremely slippery and hard to see
• Elevated roads like bridges, flyovers, and interchanges freeze first

This combination makes driving hazardous even when snowfall totals are modest.

2. Limited Snow Removal Equipment

Atlanta is not equipped like cities that see frequent snow:

• Fewer snowplows and salt trucks relative to road miles
• Priorities given to interstates, major state routes, and key arterials
• Neighborhood and side streets may remain icy longer

Because big snow events are infrequent, it is not practical for the city and surrounding counties to maintain a large fleet of specialized winter equipment that might sit idle for years.

3. Steep Hills and Sprawling Roads

Atlanta’s topography and road network increase risk:

• Numerous hills and inclines across intown neighborhoods and suburbs
• A heavy reliance on cars and highways
• High traffic volumes on I‑285, I‑75, I‑85, and GA 400, where accidents can quickly cascade into gridlock

Once a few vehicles lose traction or crash on a hill or ramp, the entire route can become blocked.

Memorable Atlanta Snow and Ice Events

Snow doesn’t happen often, but when it does, locals tend to remember it for years. Some typical patterns from past events include:

• Light snow turning to solid ice on untreated roads
• Children sledding on neighborhood hills with improvised sleds
• Long commute times as people leave work all at once
• School closures across multiple metro counties

Historically, the most disruptive events tend to be ice storms or mixed precipitation rather than fluffy, dry snow.

How Atlanta Prepares for Snow and Ice

When winter weather threatens, several agencies coordinate response and communication.

Key Government Agencies

• City of Atlanta Department of Public Works
  Handles snow and ice treatment on city-maintained roads within the city limits.

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
  Manages interstates and state routes through Atlanta and the metro area.

  • GDOT District 7 (Metro Atlanta) main office:
    5025 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341
    Phone: (404) 631-1000 (main GDOT line; automated menu for district and road condition info)

• Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA)
  Coordinates local emergency response and preparedness messaging.

What the City Typically Does Before and During Snow

When winter weather is forecast, Atlanta and GDOT may:

• Brine or salt priority roads, bridges, ramps, and interstates
• Deploy plows and spreaders on main corridors
• Issue public advisories about travel, school, and office closures
• Encourage residents to avoid driving during peak hazard times

Neighborhood streets, residential hills, and smaller side roads are often not treated immediately, so they can remain icy even after main roads improve.

Where to Check Atlanta Winter Weather and Road Conditions

Before you drive or make plans during a possible snow event, it’s wise to check multiple official sources:

• Local weather forecasts from Atlanta-based TV stations and radio
  These outlets offer frequent updates on timing, amounts, and likely impacts.
• National Weather Service – Peachtree City office
  Issues winter weather advisories, watches, and warnings for the Atlanta area.
• Georgia 511 (Travel Information)
  Phone: 511 from most phones in Georgia
  Provides road conditions, closures, and traffic incidents statewide.

Look for terms like “Winter Weather Advisory,” “Winter Storm Warning,” or “Ice Storm Warning,” which signal increasing levels of concern.

Snow in Different Parts of Metro Atlanta

Snow impacts can vary sharply across the area because of elevation differences and temperature variations.

• Intown Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West End)
  Often sees mixed rain and snow, with lighter accumulations on warmer, urban surfaces.
• North Atlanta and Buckhead
  Slightly higher elevations can see more sticking snow than the core downtown area.
• Northern suburbs (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Cumming)
  Frequently experience more snow and ice than neighborhoods closer to the airport.
• Southside suburbs (College Park, East Point, Union City)
  Sometimes stay warmer, leading to more rain and less sticking snow.

It’s common for someone near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to see mainly rain while friends in North Fulton or Cobb County report accumulating snow.

How Schools and Employers in Atlanta Handle Snow

Because roads can become dangerous quickly, schools and many employers act cautiously.

Schools

Area school districts, including Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County, DeKalb County, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, and others may:

• Close or move to remote learning for the day
• Call early release if conditions are expected to deteriorate
• Delay start times to allow ice to melt and roads to be treated

Families typically receive robocalls, emails, or text alerts, and closure information appears on local media.

Workplaces

Many Atlanta-area employers:

• Shift to remote work on high-risk winter weather days
• Stagger release times to avoid everyone hitting the roads at the same hour
• Encourage employees to monitor forecasts and plan commutes carefully

If you are visiting Atlanta for business in winter, it’s wise to confirm meeting plans and be flexible around potential changes during a winter storm.

What Visitors Should Expect If It Snows in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta and snow is in the forecast, keep these points in mind:

• Air travel:
  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport may experience delays or cancellations during significant snow or ice, especially for de-icing and runway treatment.
• Ground transportation:
  Rideshare wait times may increase, and hills or side streets could be challenging for drivers during peak icing.
• Attractions:
  Some museums, attractions, and restaurants may close or modify hours on dangerous travel days.

If your plans involve driving in unfamiliar neighborhoods with hills or late-night travel, consider staying closer to your lodging or major transit routes during the peak of the event.

Driving in Atlanta Snow: Practical Safety Tips

Many Atlanta residents have limited experience driving in snow and ice. If you must drive:

• 🚫 Avoid driving if possible during a declared winter storm or ice event.
• Stick to major roads and interstates, which are more likely to be treated.
• Slow your speed and increase following distance—stopping distances increase dramatically on ice.
• Avoid sudden braking or quick lane changes, especially on bridges and overpasses.
• Beware of shaded areas that may stay icy even when sunlit spots have melted.
• Keep at least half a tank of fuel and some basic supplies (warm clothing, phone charger, water, snacks) during the peak of a storm.

If you are not comfortable driving in snow or ice, waiting it out is often the safest and most practical choice in Atlanta, where many events melt within a day or two.

Preparing Your Home in Atlanta for Occasional Snow and Ice

Even though snow is rare, a little preparation can prevent headaches:

• Insulate or cover outdoor faucets and exposed pipes during hard freezes
• Keep a small stock of nonperishable food, bottled water, and flashlights in case of power interruptions
• Have battery-powered lights or lanterns ready if you live in an older neighborhood prone to outages
• Consider keeping a small amount of ice melt or sand for steps and steep driveways
• Ensure your phone can charge from a portable battery or car charger if power goes out

For many households, these steps are useful not just for snow, but also for cold rain, wind, and other winter weather that can affect infrastructure.

Where to Turn for Local Help and Information

If winter weather becomes serious, Atlanta residents can use these key local resources:

• City of Atlanta – Customer Service / ATL311
  Phone: 3‑1‑1 (inside city limits) or (404) 546‑0311
  For city service questions, non-emergency concerns, and info about street conditions on city-maintained roads.

• Fulton County Emergency Services (Non‑Emergency)
  For non-life-threatening public safety questions in unincorporated parts of the county, use the listed non-emergency number for your local police or sheriff’s office.

• Emergency situations
  Dial 911 for serious accidents, injuries, or immediate hazards related to winter weather.

These contacts are meant for practical, local guidance—they’re especially useful if snow and ice significantly affect your neighborhood or commute.

What Atlantans Should Realistically Expect From Snow

For most years in Atlanta, Georgia:

• You may see flurries or a light dusting at least once
• Major snowstorms are uncommon, but when they do happen, they can cause outsized disruptions because of ice, hills, and limited winter infrastructure
• Conditions and impacts vary widely from South Atlanta to North Fulton and beyond

Whether you live here or are just visiting, the best approach is simple: watch the forecast closely, plan around the most intense hours, avoid unnecessary driving on icy roads, and expect that the city may slow down for a day or two when snow reaches Atlanta.