The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is preparing for another significant winter weather event expected to impact much of the state beginning early Saturday morning, January 31. Forecasts indicate light to potentially significant snowfall across northeast, east, southeast and central Georgia, including the metro Atlanta area, accompanied by dangerously cold temperatures and strong winds.
According to Chief Meteorologist Patrick Core, accumulating snow is becoming more likely across the region, with snow showers expected to develop late Friday night and continue into Saturday morning. While snowfall totals locally are expected to remain light, Core says the system could deliver heavier snow farther east, particularly toward the Carolinas, where blizzard-like conditions may develop near the coast.
Despite limited snowfall in some areas, Core warns that extreme cold will be the primary concern. Wind chills could drop below zero in parts of the state Saturday, with gusty northwest winds reaching 30 miles per hour or higher, creating hazardous outdoor conditions.
In response, Georgia DOT is implementing a statewide winter weather plan, repositioning crews, equipment and materials to areas expected to see the greatest impacts. The department expects this to be primarily a snow event and is preparing for widespread travel disruptions.
Pretreatment and Brining Operations
For most affected areas, Georgia DOT will begin brine pretreatment operations at 7 a.m. Friday, January 30. In metro Atlanta, brine operations are scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Friday. Crews will prioritize interstates and critical, high-priority routes before moving on to additional roadways as conditions allow.
Georgia DOT has nearly two million gallons of brine available statewide and the capacity to produce an additional 50,000 gallons per hour. In areas expected to experience the heaviest impacts, crews will focus brining efforts on outside lanes and ramps only along major interstates, including:
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I-75 from the Tennessee state line to Macon
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I-85 from metro Atlanta to South Carolina
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I-20 through and east of Atlanta to the state line
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I-16 and I-95
This strategy allows crews to prepare the greatest number of roadways and position routes for plowing once snowfall begins.
Plowing and Resource Management
Georgia DOT is prepared with approximately 570 snow removal units statewide, including 439 snowplows that double as spreaders and dump trucks, as well as 130 heavy-duty pickups equipped with plows and spreaders. Crews will work throughout the storm and continue operations after snowfall ends.
Officials caution motorists not to expect roadways to remain clear during heavy snowfall, even after plows have passed. Due to large, fluffy snowflakes and extremely low temperatures, accumulation may continue even on treated and plowed roads.
To ensure maximum statewide coverage, Georgia DOT will prioritize outside lanes on interstates. On multi-lane interstates, the two outside lanes and ramps will be treated, while interstates with two lanes in each direction will see treatment focused on the outside lane and ramps.
Travel Warnings and Safety
Georgia DOT urges motorists to avoid travel whenever possible on Saturday and Sunday. Keeping traffic off roadways allows crews to work more efficiently and safely. Those who must travel are encouraged to reduce speeds, increase following distances and remain alert for brine trucks and snowplows beginning Friday.
HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operator) and CHAMP (Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Patrol) units are prepared to shift to 24-hour operations as conditions allow. Motorists needing assistance should call 511.
Drivers are also reminded that local and county roads are maintained by local governments, and treatment plans may differ from Georgia DOT operations on state routes and interstates. Residents should check with local officials before traveling on non-state roadways.
Extreme Cold Precautions
With bitter cold expected, residents are encouraged to take precautions by protecting pipes, limiting time outdoors, bringing pets indoors and checking on elderly neighbors. While conditions are expected to gradually improve later in the weekend, Core emphasizes that residents should continue monitoring forecasts, as small changes could significantly impact local conditions.
Georgia DOT acknowledges that many Georgians are fatigued from back-to-back winter storms but asks for patience one more weekend, encouraging residents to stay home and enjoy the snow if possible.
Drivers can stay informed by visiting 511ga.org or calling 511GA for real-time road conditions, closures and emergency assistance updates.