How Much Snow Did Atlanta Get? A Local’s Guide to Tracking Winter Weather in the City

Atlanta doesn’t see snow often, which is exactly why every flurry becomes big news. When you ask “How much snow did Atlanta get?” the answer depends on when, where in the metro, and which source you check.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to understanding snowfall totals, where to find accurate numbers, and what they usually look like for the city.

The Short Answer: It Depends on the Storm and the Neighborhood

Atlanta’s snowfall is highly variable:

• Some winters bring no measurable snow at all.
• Other years, a single storm can drop 1–3 inches in parts of the metro.
• A few historic events have brought heavier snow and ice, especially north and west of the city.

When you want to know how much snow Atlanta got for a specific day or storm, the number most people refer to is usually the official measurement at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). However, places like Buckhead, Midtown, Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Gwinnett can see different totals from the airport.

Where to Find “How Much Snow Did Atlanta Get” for a Specific Date

Because snowfall changes storm by storm, the most accurate way to answer this question is to check recent or historical data.

1. National Weather Service – Atlanta/Peachtree City

The National Weather Service (NWS) Atlanta/Peachtree City office is the primary official source for snowfall in the Atlanta area.

You can use NWS resources to find:

• Snowfall totals for recent storms
• Daily climate summaries, including snowfall at the airport
• Storm reports showing snow and ice amounts around metro Atlanta

Key local office:

• National Weather Service – Atlanta/Peachtree City
• 4 Falcon Dr, Peachtree City, GA 30269
• Phone (public line): (770) 486-0028 (main office line; not for emergencies)

If you’re trying to confirm how much snow fell “in Atlanta” on a given day, the airport total from NWS is typically treated as the official figure for the city.

2. Local TV Weather Teams and Media

Atlanta’s local TV weather teams (based in the city) often share snow maps and neighborhood reports that can be more detailed than the single airport number. These can tell you:

• How much snow fell in Downtown vs. Buckhead vs. the suburbs
• Where totals were highest or lowest across the metro
• Photos and measurements from viewers and spotters

This is useful if you want a practical picture of what happened around the city, not just at the airport.

3. Airport & Climate Records

For long-term trends and exact past totals, the climate record for Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) is the standard reference. Most historical snow questions about “Atlanta” are answered using this airport data:

• Annual snowfall totals
• Daily snowfall on specific dates
• Notable storms that impacted the city

This is what you’ll usually see mentioned when people talk about record snow events in Atlanta.

Typical Snowfall in Atlanta: What’s “Normal”?

If you’re not asking about a specific day, but instead wondering how much snow Atlanta usually gets in a winter, the pattern is:

• Atlanta typically sees light snow totals over an entire winter.
• Some winters: no measurable snow at all.
• Other winters: one or two systems bring a dusting to a couple of inches.

In practical, lived-experience terms:

• A trace to 1 inch in the city is enough to cause traffic issues and school delays, especially if there’s ice.
• 1–3 inches is considered “significant” for Atlanta, especially if it sticks to roads.
• Heavier snow amounts are unusual and usually remembered as major events.

Why Snow Totals Vary Across Metro Atlanta

When someone says, “We got 3 inches in Atlanta!”, that might be true in one part of the metro and not in another. Several local factors matter:

Elevation and Location

• Areas north and west of Downtown, like Cobb, Cherokee, North Fulton, and Gwinnett, can be slightly cooler and may see:
  • More snow or
  • Snow instead of cold rain
• In-town neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and areas closer to the airport may:
  • Stay warmer, especially at the start of a storm
  • See more mixing with rain or sleet

Urban Heat

Dense, built-up areas like Downtown and Midtown can be a bit warmer because of buildings, pavement, and traffic. That can mean:

• Less accumulation on roads
• Slush instead of powder
• Snow that melts faster than in shaded or higher-elevation suburbs

Timing of the Storm

For the same storm:

• Overnight and early-morning snow often sticks better, even in the city.
• Afternoon snow may melt on contact, especially on main roads, even if lawns get a coating.

So when you ask, “How much snow did Atlanta get?”, you may get different answers from people in:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Buckhead
• Sandy Springs
• Decatur
• Marietta
• Lawrenceville

All of them can be technically right for their specific area.

Quick Reference: What People Usually Mean by “Snow in Atlanta”

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

How to Check Recent Snow Totals Yourself

If you just went through a storm and want to know how much snow Atlanta got:

1. Look up the NWS Atlanta/Peachtree City daily climate report

   • Check the snowfall listed for Atlanta (Hartsfield–Jackson) for the date of the storm.

2. Compare with local media snow maps

   • See how your neighborhood’s estimate compares to the official airport total.

3. Note your specific location

   • If you’re in Brookhaven, Smyrna, Roswell, or Stone Mountain, your total may differ from “Atlanta” as officially measured at the airport.

Why Exact Snow Totals Matter in Atlanta

In a city where winter weather is uncommon but impactful, knowing how much snow actually fell can help you:

• Understand why schools closed or traffic backed up
• Plan work-from-home vs. commuting during a stormy week
• Gauge whether side streets, hills, and bridges are likely to be slick
• Compare a new storm to past events you remember

City and state agencies like:

• City of Atlanta Department of Transportation
• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

use snow and ice forecasts and observed totals to decide where to:

• Pre-treat or salt roads
• Focus plowing and de-icing
• Issue travel advisories

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Hear Snow in the Forecast

For visitors, even a small amount of snow in Atlanta can cause:

• Flight delays or cancellations at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Slower traffic on I-75, I-85, I-20, and the Perimeter (I-285)
• Early closure of some offices or attractions

When snow is in the forecast:

• Check your airline for updates on departures from ATL.
• Follow local government and transportation updates for road impacts.
• Assume that even 1 inch can affect schedules more than it might in snow-heavy cities.

Putting It All Together

To precisely answer “How much snow did Atlanta get?” for any given storm:

1. Use the official snowfall at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the baseline “Atlanta” number.
2. Check metro-wide maps and local media to see how your neighborhood compared.
3. Remember that in Atlanta, even small totals can have big practical effects, especially with ice.

That combination will give you the clearest, most realistic picture of how much snow Atlanta actually got where you live, work, or are visiting.