Icy roads, cold temperatures to last through Saturday

ATLANTA — Ice on roads and cold temperatures will last through Saturday after snow fell in many parts of Georgia.

The precipitation cleared by 10 a.m., but it is still windy and very cold. Wind chills are in the single digits and teens.

Temperatures were in the low to mid-20s across north Georgia, with winds gusting 20 to 30 mph in some places.

"It will turn much warmer as we head into the middle and end of the week," Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

Temperatures will be well-above average by then, Monahan said.

Gov. Nathan Deal cautioned Georgians Saturday to remain patient and off the roads while state agencies continued working to keep roadways safe, restore power and responded to winter storm damage needs.

A State of Emergency remains in effect until 11:59 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 9.

“I’m grateful for the cooperation of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMHSA), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies for their tireless efforts, coordination and cooperation with local authorities. As power begins to be restored and roadways continue to be treated, I urge Georgians to remain cautious, vigilant and patient,” Deal said in a statement Saturday.

GDOT treated an estimated 7,500 miles of roads and interstates with brine and salt from Thursday through Saturday morning, Deal said.

Channel 2 Action News photographers saw GDOT crews will respond to the changing weather conditions through the night and into Saturday.

Crews are currently out re-treating any current icing spots and will continue to retreat roadways as needed for those areas that remain frozen or refreeze. Deal said they would continue to monitor the situation and is responding to any and all trouble spots accordingly as those reports come in.

The multi-agency strike teams are out on the interstate system reporting road conditions, escorting GDOT road crews and responding to any accidents.

Interstates remained passable through the night, although there were numerous accidents across the affected area. No fatalities were reported until Saturday, when a Georgia State University student died in a crash on Interstate 75.

GDOT will continue to spread salt and brine on all interstates throughout the area the day Saturday and into Saturday night. They will continue to work major state routes as well, Deal said.

The multi-agency traffic strike teams remain active, responding to accidents.

In a statement from Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, he urged drivers to continue to use caution as they drove throughout the city.

"The City of Atlanta is fully engaged in responding to the ongoing winter weather event," Reed said. "We urge anyone who needs assistance to contact either ATL311, or dial 911 in case of an emergency. We ask that that our residents and travelers continue to be patient and use caution, as well as sign up for the NotifyATL notification system."

Georgia Forestry, The Department of Natural Resources and Department of Corrections chain saw crews have responded to numerous requirements to remove downed trees.

Georgia Power said they had 98% of their customers impacted by the storm restored by 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The utility said they had restored power to more than 67,000 customer and still had about restoring 1,500 customers left to restore power to.

Approximately 97 people sought shelter in the 23 shelters, or warming centers, opened by the Red Cross, DNR State Parks and the National Guard, Deal said.

Stay with WSBTV.com and watch Channel 2 Action News after the game for updated forecast models.

Cox Media Group