Latest Forecast: High Winds, Snow Late on Friday, Early Saturday in Atlanta

PEACHTREE CITY, GA -- The National Weather Service is predicting gusting winds of up to 20 miles per hour and snow for Friday afternoon and evening, and into Saturday morning throughout the city of Atlanta.

Any rain is predicted to turn into snow after 10 pm, with an 80 percent chance of precipitation forecast. Less than one inch is currently forecasted to accumulate in the city.

On Saturday morning, there is a 30 percent chance of snow showers before 8am. Skies will be cloudy, with a high near 39, but wind gusts as high as 35 mile per hour are possible.

Lows will fall into the mid 20s on Saturday, while a sunny Sunday is forecast, with highs in the upper 40s.

EARLIER ON FRIDAY:

The Georgia Department of Transportation is preparing to treat metro Atlanta roads early this afternoon as soon as rain moves out of the area.

“Our biggest concern is the small window of time that we have to get ahead of the snow and ice that is forecasted,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry. “We will have our crews strategically placed in locations where they can quickly spread the materials on all the major interstates and state routes. But we must have the public’s cooperation in this effort. We cannot spread the materials if we are stuck in traffic; and without the materials on the roadway before the snow hits, we lose a valuable tool in fighting the effects of this winter storm.”

The latest forecast indicates a window between 3-6 pm in Metro Atlanta where the Department will have trucks on the highways applying brine and spreading materials.

“It is essential that the public be off the roads at this time to enable GDOT in our efforts to successfully get this material on the roadway,” the department said in a release.

The winter storm forecasted to move into the metro area this afternoon is expected to dump sleet and snow with strong wind gusts later this afternoon. As a result, Georgia DOT will immediately begin spreading materials as soon as rain moves out of the area.