‘Catastrophic’ event of ‘historical proportions’ headed for Georgia, warns National Weather Service
“Expect significant – crippling – ice totals from Atlanta eastward along the I-20 corridor,” the National Weather Service said in alert this morning.
Two weeks after snow and freezing temperatures crippled Atlanta and other parts of the South, forecasters say another major winter storm is headed for the region bringing a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
The storm could be a “catastrophic event” reaching “historical proportions,” the National Weather Service warned this morning. “Do not wait to begin making plans for this significant winter event!!”
Forecasters expect widespread power outages that could last for days. As much as three-quarters of an inch of ice is forecast for Atlanta, and wind gusts up to 25 mph could exacerbate problems.
The National Weather Service said that the storm could be one of “historical proportions” with “crippling ice totals.”
A winter storm warning was issued for Georgia on Tuesday morning lasting until Thursday afternoon. Two to four inches of snow are possible through Wednesday night, the Weather Service said. As much as 7 inches of snow is forecast for parts of northern Georgia.
“Snow will accumulate on roads making for hazardous driving conditions today across the northern sections and tonight for all areas,” the Weather Service said. “As the more significant snowfall and ice accumulation occurs Wednesday and Wednesday night, travel will be dangerous given the high snow amounts combined with the ice. Widespread power outages are possible with the higher ice accumulation.”
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for much of middle Georgia on Tuesday and told residents to stay home.
“What we had two weeks ago was a minor event,” said Glenn Burns, chief meteorologist for CNN affiliate WSB. “This is likely to be a major event.”
The storm was expected to hit other parts of the South as well. Alabama and parts of Mississippi were forecast to get as much as 3 inches of snow and ice, and a blast of snow over a wide section of Kentucky slickened roads and closed several school districts.
South Carolina, which hasn’t seen a major ice storm in nearly a decade, could get a quarter to three-quarters of an inch of ice and as much as 8 inches of snow in some areas.
NWS website using the words “catastrophic” and “historical”:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/fxc/ffc/graphicast/image_full6.gif
Winter storm warnings:
http://www.google.org/publicalerts/alert?aid=6ffc1389a3a3fece&hl=en≷=US&source=web
http://www.businessinsider.com/national-weather-service-calls-storm-headed-for-atlanta-an-event-of-historical-proportions-2014-2
http://news.msn.com/us/with-dire-storm-forecast-many-in-ga-stay-home
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