Weather atlanta: Snow, wind and extreme cold warnings through Sunday

A burst of wintry weather is pushing into metro Atlanta early Saturday, with intermittent snow or flurries, gusty winds and dangerous cold compressing the highest-impact window into the weekend. The combination matters now because temperatures are cold enough for slick spots to form quickly on roads—especially bridges and overpasses—even if snowfall totals stay modest. This weather atlanta setup also raises concerns about wind chill, power demand, and frozen pipes as the cold deepens overnight.

As of Saturday morning (ET), conditions are mostly cloudy and cold, with periods of light snow possible at times through the day.

Weather atlanta outlook through Sunday

The metro is caught between a strengthening coastal storm to the east and a surge of arctic air pressing into the Southeast. That pairing supports a short window for wintry precipitation, followed by the most dangerous cold late Saturday into Sunday. For residents, the practical impact is less about deep snow and more about timing: temperatures are low enough that even light precipitation can stick, while gusty winds can rapidly worsen how cold it feels outdoors.

Local alerts remain in place across parts of north and central Georgia, reflecting the dual threat of wintry travel conditions and extreme cold. The cold air is the “sticky” part of the forecast: it locks in overnight refreezing risk and drives wind chills into potentially hazardous territory.

Snow timing and road conditions

Intermittent snow or flurries are most likely from Saturday morning into early afternoon, with the best chance for brief heavier bursts during the late morning hours. In the cold air, impacts can be immediate—especially on elevated or untreated surfaces. Bridges, overpasses, and ramps tend to ice first, and even a thin glaze can create a chain reaction of slowdowns and crashes.

The other wildcard is wind. Gusts can reduce visibility during heavier bursts and can blow snow across untreated pavement, shifting slick spots from block to block. For commuters or anyone making weekend trips, the safest plan is to avoid driving during the most active period of precipitation and to assume conditions can vary sharply between neighborhoods.

By late day and into Saturday night, the concern shifts from falling snow to refreezing. Where daytime melting occurs—on sidewalks, driveways, and shaded roadways—temperatures dropping into the teens can turn wet spots into black ice. That overnight change is often when people get caught off guard, because roads can look merely wet until tires hit a frozen patch.

Extreme cold and wind chill danger

Even after snow tapers, the cold remains. Wind chills are expected to be harshest Saturday night into Sunday morning, when steady wind combines with very low air temperatures. For anyone spending extended time outdoors, the risk rises from discomfort to danger, with frostbite possible on exposed skin during prolonged exposure.

Indoors, the cold presents a different set of hazards. Older heating systems can struggle, and the chance of frozen or ruptured pipes increases—especially in uninsulated spaces, exterior walls, or homes that keep thermostats low for extended periods. The cold can also strain local power demand; while widespread outages are not a given, any disruption becomes more serious when temperatures are this low.

Simple steps reduce risk: keep indoor temperatures steady, open cabinet doors under sinks along exterior walls, let faucets drip slowly if pipes are vulnerable, and check on neighbors who may lack reliable heat. Pets should be brought inside or provided with warm shelter and unfrozen water.

What changes could raise impacts

Small shifts in the placement or intensity of snow bands can make a big difference in a cold setup like this. Residents should watch for three practical signals:

1. Snow rate spikes: brief periods of heavier snow can overwhelm pretreated roads and create fast accumulation.

2. Visibility drops: gusty winds can turn moderate snow into near-whiteout pockets on open roadways.

3. A sharper overnight freeze: if temperatures fall faster than expected, refreezing starts earlier and becomes harder to manage.

If heavier bursts materialize, localized totals can exceed nearby areas by a wide margin. If precipitation stays lighter and patchier, the dominant risk becomes overnight ice and extreme cold rather than deep accumulation.

Early-week rebound and midweek showers

Conditions begin to improve after Sunday as temperatures gradually climb. Highs recover into the upper 40s by Monday and near 60 by Tuesday, helping melt remaining snow and reducing the risk of lingering ice on treated main roads. Even with a warming trend, shaded areas and less-traveled streets can hold onto slick patches longer, so morning drivers early in the week should still be cautious.

By midweek, clouds increase and a few showers are possible as the pattern shifts away from the arctic influence. After that, a return to more typical winter variability is expected, with cooler, drier air possible later in the week.

Sources consulted: National Weather Service; NOAA; Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency; Reuters; The Associated Press; The Washington Post.