Metro Atlanta and the broader North Georgia region are bracing for what experts warn could be the most disruptive ice storm in over a decade, as a relentless system brings freezing rain, plummeting temperatures, and widespread power outages to the area. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an ice storm warning effective at 1 p.m. on January 24, 2026, stretching from Polk County in the south, through Fulton and Henry counties, and eastward all the way to Richmond County along the South Carolina border. The warning comes as state and local officials scramble to prepare for the storm’s potentially devastating impact on infrastructure, travel, and daily life.
By Saturday morning, light frozen rain had already begun falling in parts of far North Georgia, with showers becoming widespread in metro Atlanta by 9 p.m. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, freezing rain was expected to intensify around 11 p.m. and persist overnight as temperatures crashed into the low 30s and high 20s Fahrenheit. The NWS cautioned that ice would continue to accumulate until around noon on Sunday, January 25, with any remaining moisture likely to refreeze Monday morning due to a fresh surge of Arctic air.
Officials have not minced words about the risks. The NWS warned that locations within the warning zone could see at least a quarter-inch of ice, with some localized areas potentially receiving up to an inch. "If I could choose between having a foot of snow on the ground or a quarter or half-an-inch of ice, I’m going to take the snow every single time," meteorologist Brian Monahan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "That would have a much less disruptive impact on power and trees coming down."
Indeed, the primary concern is the weight of accumulating ice on power lines and trees. Channel 2 meteorologist Ashley Kramlich offered a vivid analogy: a half-inch of ice on a 30-foot tree can add about 3,500 pounds—"equivalent to just over 400 gallons of milk." When combined with forecasted wind gusts up to 30 mph, the threat of trees and power lines coming down becomes all too real.
As of 10:50 a.m. on January 25, the storm had already begun to take its toll. Georgia Power reported 17,729 customers impacted by outages, while Georgia EMC reported 16,126 customers without power. County-specific figures revealed the breadth of the disruption: Fulton County had 2,304 customers affected, DeKalb 1,408, Gwinnett 543, Bartow 481, Rabun 8,381, Stephens 857, Cobb 946, and White County 1,588. Amicalola EMC alone reported 3,800 outages, and Habersham EMC had 9,000 customers in the dark. These numbers were expected to climb as the ice continued to accumulate.
Governor Brian Kemp, recalling the chaos of the 2014 ice storms that left parts of Georgia paralyzed for days, took no chances this time. On January 22, he declared a state of emergency for all counties, effective through January 29, and authorized the activation of 500 National Guard members for potential cleanup and emergency response. "Consider how your family would stay safe if you lost power or the ability to travel for several days," the agency advised residents. "Ensure your family has multiple days of food and medication on hand."
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) began treating roads north of I-20 and I-75 South to Macon as early as January 23, deploying continuous applications of brine to prevent dangerous ice buildup. "Troopers are prepared to respond and assist motorists, but do us all a favor and stay off the roads," said Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Josh Lamb at a Friday news conference. GEMA activated its state operations center at the highest alert level at 7 a.m. Saturday, a move typically reserved for major emergencies.
Local governments and organizations echoed the urgency. By Thursday afternoon, metro Atlanta schools and colleges had begun announcing closures. MARTA, the region’s transit authority, shifted to an inclement weather plan for the weekend, limiting bus routes to those serving major medical facilities and reducing rail service to 20-minute intervals.
For those without power, dangerously cold temperatures pose a secondary threat. The Weather Service predicted "feels like" temperatures could plunge into the single digits by Tuesday, January 27, especially in North and Middle Georgia. Warming centers at several state parks—including Vogel State Park in Blairsville and Amicalola Falls State Park near Dahlonega—opened to the public, with parking fees waived and pets welcome if leashed or crated.
Georgia Power, the state’s largest utility, assured residents it had more than 10,000 personnel on standby to respond to outages. Other providers made similar preparations, but all urged customers to be ready for extended power loss. With the storm’s unpredictable track and the sheer scale of the threat, restoring service could take time.
Meanwhile, the storm’s reach extended far beyond Georgia. According to the NWS’ Weather Prediction Center, more than 100,000 power outages were reported nationwide by Saturday evening, with Texas and Louisiana particularly hard-hit. In Georgia, GEMA also warned of potential wildfires in the southwest of the state, where dry conditions and thunderstorms could spark blazes even as the north battled ice.
The memory of 2014’s twin winter storms, which left thousands without power and brought metro Atlanta to a halt, loomed large over preparations. State meteorologist Will Lanxton reminded residents, "If we remember back then, we did see significant impacts, and they were prolonged. Some areas were tough to travel with power outages for at least a few days."
As the storm continued its march across the state, officials and meteorologists alike pleaded for caution. Travel was discouraged unless absolutely necessary, and those venturing out were urged to pack emergency kits with essentials like booster cables, flashlights, blankets, water, and food. The advice was clear: hunker down, stay informed, and be prepared for a challenging few days ahead.
For now, all eyes remain on the skies—and on the power outage maps—as Georgia faces its most serious winter storm threat in years. The coming days will test the state’s readiness and resilience, but with early action and community vigilance, officials hope to avoid a repeat of the chaos that marked winters past.