Georgia, January 23, 2026
A significant winter storm is approaching Georgia, prompting campuses and local communities to initiate safety measures. Anticipated freezing rain, sleet, and snow may cause hazardous travel conditions and power outages. Educational institutions like the University of Georgia and others in metro Atlanta are preparing for closures and advisories. Governor Brian Kemp has declared a statewide emergency, activating resources to manage the impending storm’s impacts.
Atlanta
Approaching Winter Storm Prompts Widespread Closures and Urgent Preparations Across Georgia
As a significant winter storm approaches Georgia, anticipated to bring a perilous mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow, numerous institutions and communities across metro Atlanta and North Georgia are implementing proactive measures, including campus closures and public advisories to ensure safety. The storm, which is expected to intensify over the weekend, carries a strong potential for substantial ice accumulation, high winds, and rapidly dropping temperatures, raising concerns about dangerous travel conditions and widespread power outages.
Campus Communities Take Precautionary Steps
The University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens is strongly encouraging its students to depart campus by Friday evening, ahead of the weekend’s anticipated severe weather. UGA officials are closely monitoring the storm’s development, which is forecast to bring a wintry mix to the Athens area starting Saturday afternoon and continuing into Sunday. The university anticipates a closure on Monday, January 26, and will provide further updates on Sunday afternoon. While residence halls will remain open for those unable to leave, University Housing may need to consolidate students into temporary accommodations with emergency heating and meal services in the event of power outages or water line breaks.
Beyond UGA, other educational institutions in metro Atlanta and North Georgia are also announcing weekend closures and activity cancellations. The Atlanta University Center Consortium, which includes Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College, has declared campus closures for Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25, with all scheduled activities and sporting events canceled. Atlanta Public Schools will maintain a normal schedule for Friday, January 23, but all weekend activities are canceled. The district is assessing operations for Monday, January 26, prioritizing student and staff safety. Georgia Tech’s Office of Emergency Management has also warned of possible lengthy and widespread power outages, downed trees, and travel disruptions due to ice accumulation across the region, beginning Saturday and ending late Sunday.
Public Safety and Community Response
In Athens, local officials have issued advisories urging the community to remain off the roads once the winter weather commences, emphasizing the hazards associated with icy conditions. Across the state, Governor Brian Kemp issued a statewide state of emergency for all Georgia counties on Thursday, allowing for the rapid mobilization of state resources, including National Guardsmen, in preparation for the storm. The State Operations Center is scheduled to activate on Saturday.
The forecast, updated on January 21, 2026, by the National Weather Service, indicates a “major winter storm potential” for parts of North and Central Georgia this weekend, with significant concern for freezing rain and ice accumulation, particularly north of Interstate 20. Gusty winds accompanying the ice and snow could heighten the risk of downed trees and power outages. Forecasters also predict an extended period of extreme cold following the storm, with temperatures plummeting well below freezing through next week.
In anticipation of these severe impacts, arborists across metro Atlanta have been working diligently over the past two days to remove problematic trees that pose a significant risk of falling onto homes or power lines under the weight of ice. Tree service companies report a surge in calls as residents seek to mitigate potential damage. The memory of past storm-related tragedies, such as the death of a 10-year-old girl in May 2025 due to a fallen tree in Atlanta’s Mozley Park neighborhood, underscores the gravity of these preventative efforts.
Humanitarian Efforts and Preparedness
Amidst these preparations, humanitarian organizations are also mobilizing. Hosea Helps, an Atlanta-based organization, is actively preparing to distribute food to those in need. Workers have been packing bags with easily heated or ready-to-eat items like beef stew and rice to assist individuals struggling with access to essentials during the storm. Hosea Helps volunteers have been distributing food bags daily and plan to continue through Friday. The organization, which has impacted 40,000 lives in the last 24 months, remains open year-round to offer various human services.
Residents throughout Georgia are advised to prepare for potential power outages and dangerous road conditions. Essential preparedness includes stocking up on food, batteries, and fuel, as well as taking measures to protect pipes and ensure pets are indoors. The Georgia Department of Transportation is also preparing to treat state roads, and local departments of public works are pre-treating priority roadways and bridges. These collective efforts reflect a prudent foresight, a quiet understanding of the fragility of modern life when confronted by nature’s force, and a compassionate resolve to minimize hardship for all.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Georgia Winter Storm
- What is the primary concern with the approaching winter storm in Georgia?
The primary concern with the approaching winter storm is the strong potential for substantial ice accumulation, high winds, and rapidly dropping temperatures, which could lead to dangerous travel conditions and widespread power outages. - Which educational institutions are affected by the storm?
The University of Georgia (UGA) is encouraging students to leave campus, and expects to be closed on Monday, January 26. The Atlanta University Center Consortium, including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College, will close campuses on Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25. Atlanta Public Schools have canceled all weekend activities. - What public safety measures are being taken?
Athens officials are advising the community to stay off roads. Governor Brian Kemp has issued a statewide state of emergency for all Georgia counties to mobilize resources, and the State Operations Center will activate on Saturday. - What kind of precipitation is expected?
Forecasters anticipate a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow, with significant ice accumulation. - Are there concerns about power outages?
Yes, there is a strong potential for widespread and prolonged power outages due to significant ice accumulation and high winds. - How are humanitarian organizations responding?
Hosea Helps, an Atlanta-based organization, is preparing to distribute food to those in need, having packed bags with easily heated or ready-to-eat items. - What should residents do to prepare?
Residents are advised to prepare for potential power outages and dangerous road conditions, including stocking up on food, batteries, and fuel, protecting pipes, and ensuring pets are indoors.
Key Features of the Winter Storm Preparedness in Georgia
| Feature | Description | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Threat | Significant ice accumulation, high winds, rapidly dropping temperatures. | Metro Atlanta and North Georgia |
| Expected Precipitation | Freezing rain, sleet, and snow. | North and Central Georgia |
| Anticipated Impacts | Dangerous travel conditions, widespread and prolonged power outages, downed trees. | Metro Atlanta and North Georgia |
| University of Georgia (UGA) Response | Encouraging students to leave campus, anticipated closure on Monday, January 26. | Athens (Clarke County) |
| Atlanta University Center Consortium Response | Campus closures for Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25. | Metro Atlanta |
| State-level Emergency Declaration | Governor Brian Kemp issued a statewide state of emergency. | All Georgia counties |
| Community Support | Hosea Helps preparing to distribute food to those in need. | Atlanta-based (Metro Atlanta) |
| Preparatory Work | Arborists actively removing problematic trees, public works pre-treating roads. | Metro Atlanta and North Georgia |
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Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
