Winter Weather — Gilmer, Georgia

2010-01-07 · Gilmer, Georgia

Event narrative

The Gilmer County 911 Center reported from 2.0 to 3.0 inches of snow across the county. Most roads were snow covered and hazardous. Eighty traffic accidents were observed across the county. Ten individuals suffered minor injuries during these accidents.

Wider weather episode

A persistent Arctic air mass remained in place across the eastern half of the United States. A new mass of Arctic air was rapidly spreading south and east from the central Plains behind a cold front located moving southeast from the Arkalatex region. A deep upper low was digging southeastward from the Midwest. Although moisture was limited because of the cold Arctic air mass already in place ahead of the front, upper support provided ample support for a brief period of light snow and some light sleet to spread across the north Georgia area during the afternoon and evening hours of January 7th. Because temperatures had been at or below freezing much of the previous seven days and temperatures at the time of the onset of the precipitation were near freezing, ice and snow quickly accumulated on roads and ground surfaces. Accumulations of snow were mostly in the one inch range northwest of Interstate-85, with some two to three inch accumulations in the north Georgia mountains. Some sleet was mixed in at the onset of the precipitation. Areas southeast of Interstate-85 saw mostly 1/2 inch accumulations of snow, with just a trace of snow or sleet in central Georgia counties. With a fresh Arctic air mass surging into the area January 8th - 9th, the ice and snow remained on the ground for several days. The cold antecedent conditions resulted in an extended period of ice and snow covered roads in many north Georgia counties, despite the overall rather light accumulations of winter precipitation.

The following is a list of average snowfall reports received from north and central Georgia counties between 4 pm EST on January 7th and midnight EST on January 7th.

Banks county received 0.5 inch.

Barrow county received 0.5 inch. Five accidents caused by ice/snow covered roads were reported across the county.

Bartow county received 0.75 to 1.0 inch. Less than 1.0 inch of snow south to 2.0 inches north. Many roads ice and snow covered. At least one road in the county closed.

Butts county received a trace.

Carroll county received up to 0.5 inch of snow. At least 29 accidents were reported across the county. At least five roads were closed. Greater accumulation of snow was west of U.S. Highway 27.

Catoosa county received 0.5 inch.

Chattooga county received 1.0 to 1.5 inches.

Cherokee county received 0.5 inch south to 1.0 inch north. More than 200 vehicle accidents accounting for 12 injuries and one fatality occurred. A 50-year old male died when his vehicle slid off an icy road.

Clayton county received 0.5 inch.

Cobb county received 0.5 inch.

Coweta county received 0.5 inch.

Dade county received 0.5 to 1 inch.

Dawson county received approximately 0.5 to 1.0 inch of snow. Thirty-two accidents were reported across the county, including three involving injuries.

DeKalb county received 0.5 inch. More than 250 accidents were observed across the county.

Douglas county received 0.5 inch.

Fayette county received 0.5 inch.

Fannin county received 1.0 to 2.0 inches.

Floyd county received 0.5 inch. Numerous accidents reported across the county.

Forsyth county received 0.5 inch. Some secondary roads closed near Lake Lanier. Across the county, 160 accidents were reported on snow and ice covered roads. There were seven injuries reported from these traffic accidents, including a serious injury of an 11-year old boy.

North Fulton county received 1.0 inch.

South Fulton county received 0.5 inch.

Gilmer county received 2.0 to 3.0 inches across the county. Most roads were ice covered and hazardous. Eighty accidents were reported across the county. Ten people suffered minor injuries in these accidents. Two roads were closed.

Gordon county received 0.5 inch west part to 1.0 inch east part. Most roads were snow or ice packed and hazardous. Several accidents were reported. Three people suffered minor injuries.

Gwinnett county received 0.5 inch. Patchy ice covered roads resulting in stranded motorists and several accidents. Some minor injuries were reported in these accidents.

Hall county received 1.0 to 1.25 inch.

Haralson county received 0.5 inch. At least 44 traffic accidents were reported across the county.

Jackson county received 0.5 inch.

Lumpkin county received 1.0 to 2.0 inches. Roads were solid ice in many parts of the county. A 33-year old male died when his vehicle slid off the road and down an embankment. Several motorists were stranded in their vehicles.

Meriwether county received a trace of snow/sleet.

Murray county received 0.5 to 1.0 inch of snow and some sleet.

Paulding county received 0.6 inch.

Pickens county received 1.0 inch. Secondary roads were ice covered and a number of accidents.

Polk county received 1.0 inch.

Spalding county received 0.25 inch.

Towns county received 2.0 inches in the western part to 3.0 inches in the eastern part of the county.

Union county received 0.5 to 1.2 inch. Forty-two accidents were reported across the county. Georgia Highway 348 and several secondary roads were impassable and closed.

Walton county received 0.5 inch.

Walker county received 0.5 to 1.0 inch.

White county received 0.5 inch. Georgia Highway 348 was closed because of ice. At least eight accidents were reported across the county. No injuries were reported from this county.

Whitfield county received 0.5 to 1.0 inch of snow and some sleet. There were 247 accidents reported across the county. Portions of Interstate-75 were closed during rush hour. Roads remained icy for several days.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 211821. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.