When Did It Last Snow in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Recent Snowfall and What to Expect

Atlanta isn’t known for harsh winters, but anyone who lives here knows that even a little snow can be a big deal. Roads shut down, schools close, and the city suddenly feels very different.

If you’re wondering “When was the last time it snowed in Atlanta?” you’re probably trying to plan travel, get a sense of local weather patterns, or just satisfy your curiosity as a resident or visitor.

Because weather is constantly changing and records are updated often, the exact “last snow” date will depend on the current year and month. Still, we can walk through:

• How to quickly find the most recent snowfall date for Atlanta
• What “snow in Atlanta” usually means (hint: it’s often light and short-lived)
• How often Atlanta typically sees snow, and what months are most likely
• Practical tips if you’re in town when snow does arrive

How to Find the Most Recent Snowfall in Atlanta

The most reliable way to know the exact last time it snowed in Atlanta is to check recent weather records for Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) or official Atlanta weather observations. That’s the standard reference point for “Atlanta weather.”

Here’s how you can quickly check:

1. Look up recent weather history for Atlanta, GA (ATL) from a trusted weather source.
2. View the daily records for the last few weeks or months.
3. Look for any day with measurable snowfall (often listed as 0.1" or higher) or a note about snow flurries.

Because this information updates in real time, an online check will always be more precise than a fixed written answer.

In practice:

• If you’re reading this in winter (December–March), the last snowfall may have been days or weeks ago, or it may not have occurred yet this season.
• If you’re reading this in late spring, summer, or early fall, the last time it snowed in Atlanta was likely in the previous winter season, usually January or February.

What Counts as “Snow” in Atlanta?

When Atlanta residents ask, “When was the last time it snowed?”, they might mean different things:

• Flurries: Light snow that may fall briefly but doesn’t stick.
• Trace snow: Very small amounts that are observed but not enough to measure (often logged as a “trace”).
• Measurable snowfall: Usually at least 0.1 inches, enough to show up in official records.
• Significant snowfall: At or above about 1 inch, which in Atlanta is enough to impact roads, schools, and flights.

Most winters, Atlanta may see:

• A few episodes of flurries or trace snow, and
• One or zero events with measurable accumulation around the metro.

So when you ask about the last snow in Atlanta, it’s useful to clarify whether you mean any flakes at all or the last time it actually stuck to the ground.

Typical Snow Season in Atlanta

While the exact last snowfall date changes every year, the seasonal pattern in Atlanta is fairly consistent.

Atlanta’s Usual Snow Window

Snow in Atlanta is most likely between:

• Late December and
• Late February

Occasionally, snow can occur in early March, and more rarely in late November or mid-March, but that’s less common.

Quick Seasonal Snapshot

Here’s a simple overview of how snow typically behaves in Atlanta:

If you’re asking out of season (for example in July), the last time it snowed in Atlanta was almost certainly back in the most recent January or February.

How Rare Is Snow in Atlanta?

Compared with many U.S. cities, Atlanta’s climate is mild:

• Some winters bring only a dusting or flurries.
• Other years see no measurable snow at all.
• Occasionally, a stronger system brings a few inches, which can significantly disrupt the city.

Because the city is not deeply equipped for snow removal like northern cities, even 1 inch of snow paired with freezing temperatures can lead to:

• Icy roads and bridges
• School and office closures
• Delays at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

So if you’re in Atlanta and you hear about a snow chance, it tends to get a lot of local attention—even if the totals are small.

Where to Check Official Snow Information for Atlanta

If you want to know the exact date and amount of the last snowfall in Atlanta, use official or established weather sources rather than relying on memory or social media.

Helpful options include:

1. Local Forecast and History

• Search for “Atlanta GA weather history” or “ATL daily climate data” and view:
  • Daily precipitation records
  • Notes on snowfall and snow depth

Make sure the station or location is listed as Atlanta, GA or Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport for the most standard reference.

2. Local Government and Emergency Information

When snow is in the forecast—or has just fallen—the following Atlanta-area entities often provide updates:

• City of Atlanta Office of Emergency Preparedness
  Office often coordinates updates on road conditions and city service changes.

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
  Main public information line: 511 (from most phones in Georgia)
  Helps with road condition reports, major closures, and weather-related travel advisories.

• Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA)
  Provides emergency updates for Atlanta and surrounding parts of Fulton County during significant winter weather.

While these offices may not list “last snowfall dates” in a neat table, their updates help you understand how serious a recent or expected snow event is in real-world terms.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta: What to Expect from Snow

If you’re planning a trip and wondering whether you’ll see snow in Atlanta:

• From April through October:
  You can safely assume it will not snow in normal conditions.

• From November through March:

  • Light snow or flurries are possible, especially in January and February.
  • Heavy snow is uncommon, and when it does happen, it usually makes news across the region.

If your visit falls in mid-winter and you want to know whether snow recently fell or might fall during your stay:

1. Check a 10-day forecast for Atlanta, GA.
2. Look specifically for terms like “snow showers,” “wintry mix,” “sleet,” or “freezing rain.”
3. Review recent days’ weather history to see if there has been any snow or ice in the last week or two.

This will give you a better sense than any single static date.

Practical Tips for Dealing with Snow in Atlanta

Whenever the last snowfall in Atlanta was, the way the city reacts to snow is fairly consistent. If you’re here when it happens:

Getting Around

• Roads and bridges:
  Elevated roads, such as interstates and flyovers, can ice over quickly. Exercise caution or avoid driving if you’re not used to icy conditions.
• Transit:
  MARTA (the local transit system) may run with delays but often remains one of the more reliable ways to move around during light snow or ice.
• Flights:
  Hartsfield–Jackson may experience delays or schedule changes, especially if snow or ice is combined with cold temperatures.

Around Town

• Schools and offices:
  Local schools and many workplaces may close or go virtual even for light accumulation if ice is expected.
• Grocery stores:
  Residents sometimes stock up on basics—so you may see crowded aisles the day before a predicted snow, especially for easy-to-prepare foods.

How to Answer “When Was the Last Time It Snowed in Atlanta?” for Yourself

If you need a clear, up-to-date answer—for example, for planning, curiosity, or documenting local weather—here’s a simple process you can use any time of year:

1. Identify the reference point:
   Use Atlanta, GA (Hartsfield–Jackson Airport) as your standard location.

2. Pull recent daily weather data:
   Look up the past 30–90 days of daily weather records.

3. Scan for snow entries:
   Find the most recent day that lists:

   • Snow amount (even 0.1"), or
   • A description including snow, snow showers, or wintry mix.

4. Note the date and type:

   • If it shows a trace or flurries, you can say:
     “The last time it snowed in Atlanta was [date], but it didn’t really accumulate.”
   • If it shows measurable accumulation, you can say:
     “The last measurable snowfall in Atlanta was on [date].”

Using this simple method, you can always know the most accurate, up-to-the-minute answer, even as seasons change.

In everyday terms, if you live in or are visiting Atlanta:

• Expect little to no snow most years,
• Look to January and February for the best chance of seeing flakes, and
• Use current weather history to pin down exactly when it last snowed in the city.