January 16, 2025 | Personal Injury
As a city in the southern U.S., Atlanta doesn’t exactly have a reputation for being a frigid area. It experiences mild to moderate winters and can go several years without any snowfall at all. That limited exposure to severe winter conditions, however, has greatly influenced the city’s preparedness strategies.
Here’s how Atlanta’s winter prep compares to northern cities that are more accustomed to low temperatures and heavy snowfall:
How Cold Does It Get in Atlanta During the Winter?
Atlanta’s daily low temperatures in the winter usually hover around 38°F, and its highs generally sit around 56°F. Nevertheless, the city does occasionally see temperatures drop below freezing, which can lead to icy roads and an uptick in various types of car accidents, including rollovers.
Does It Usually Snow in Atlanta?
Atlanta isn’t a stranger to snowfall, but it isn’t guaranteed to see some flakes on a yearly basis, either. The city has only averaged about 2.2 inches of snow over the last three decades.
When snow does fall in Atlanta, it can make road conditions tough for drivers who aren’t used to driving on icy streets. That can increase their risk of getting into something like a rear-end collision, as they may not have enough time to stop, which can cause them to collide with the back of a vehicle ahead of them.
Atlanta’s Approach To Winter Weather
Given its infrequent severe winter weather, Atlanta’s infrastructure and preparedness measures are tailored specifically to occasional cold snaps and light snowfalls.
The city’s Department of Transportation collaborates with the state’s, as well as the National Weather Service (NWS), to map out forecasts and prepare for potential winter weather events. City officials have also noted that winter is the busiest season of the year for Atlanta Fire and Rescue.
Atlanta officials will typically begin preparations about 72 hours ahead of these events. Their efforts may include any of the following:
- Applying brine solutions to prevent ice from forming on major roadways
- Ensuring that a small fleet of snow plows and salt trucks is on standby
- Issuing advisories to residents about potential hazards and safety measures
- Opening warming centers for homeless individuals and those who are unable to heat their homes
In early December 2024, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, and other city officials met to discuss winter safety. They provided Atlanta residents with important winter safety and severe weather prep tips.
The city also opened two warming centers to provide overnight shelter to those who cannot keep warm otherwise. These shelters are opened intermittently as severe cold weather reaches the city.
How Atlanta Compares To Northern Cities
Many northern metropolitan areas can see several feet of snow per year, necessitating a more comprehensive approach to winter preparedness than that of Atlanta. For example, cities like Boston, Chicago, and New York each have extensive snow removal fleets that consist of plows, salt spreaders, and specialized equipment.
Additionally, northern cities have comprehensive emergency protocols in place. These procedures include snow emergency declarations that enforce parking bans on designated routes and opening shelters for those without adequate heating capabilities.
On top of that, these locales all have infrastructure designed to endure major snowfall and severe cold, and they provide critical services to residents in the midst of such severe winter weather.
Challenges Atlanta Faces in the Winter
Just because Atlanta has mild winters doesn’t mean the city effortlessly slides through the coldest season of the year. City officials are still bound to run into a few hurdles as they get the city’s 6.3 million+ residents prepped for the season.
Here are the top challenges Atlanta encounters during its winter prep:
Resource Allocation
As severe cold weather events are so rare in Atlanta, the city doesn’t overstock on winter resources like plows and brine solutions. The downside is that officials are often left to rely on limited equipment and resources if icy weather does strike, especially if surrounding areas are impacted as well.
Public Complacency
Some Atlanta residents may not heed warnings to prepare for severe winter weather, which can lead to last-minute scrambles to gather necessary supplies and potential shortages of essentials like gas and shelf-stable goods.
No matter how many Atlanta winters you’ve lived through, don’t get complacent. Take each warning from public officials seriously and ensure you have the necessary supplies to keep you and your family safe. It’s always better to be over-prepared than caught off guard, especially if the weather turns out to be more severe than predicted.
Rapid Weather Changes
Any winter storm system can intensify or change course rapidly. And despite the fact that Atlanta has become efficient at implementing emergency plans under a tight timeline, last-minute weather changes can still lead to unsafe conditions for its residents.
How You Can Prep For Winter in Atlanta
You can adequately prepare for the worst an Atlanta winter has to throw at you by performing a few proactive steps, such as the following:
- Insulate Your Home: Proper insulation can help keep your home warm and reduce your heating costs
- Protect Your Plumbing: If temperatures are predicted to fall below freezing, take steps to protect pipes in unheated areas
- Maintain Your Heating System: Ensure that your HVAC system is in good working order before the height of winter
- Assemble an Emergency Kit: Put together a kit with flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and some first-aid supplies
- Get Your Car Ready: Fill up your car’s gas tank, check its antifreeze levels, and make sure it is in generally good working order
- Buy Some Shelf-Stable Foods: Stock up on some non-perishable food items that are ready to eat
Chances are that any cold weather snaps in Atlanta will be short-lived. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, just in case.
Stay Informed To Weather Any Storm
While Atlanta’s winter weather preparedness efforts aren’t nearly as involved as those of northern U.S. cities, it’s still important to be prepared in the event that severe conditions emerge. Keep a close eye on winter weather reports and use extra caution when walking or driving on icy surfaces.
Ultimately, a little preparedness will go a long way in preventing winter-related injuries and other mishaps throughout Atlanta.
Contact our Car Accident Lawyers at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC for Legal Help With Your Case
If you suffered serious injuries after a car crash in Atlanta, Georgia we are here for you. If you’d like to schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney from Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, please don’t hesitate to call (404) 869-8600, or you can visit our office:
Goldstein Hayes & Lina Accident Lawyers
3060 Peachtree Rd NW UNIT 1000,
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 869-8600
