Atlanta Weather: Winter Wonderland in the South

Visiting friends in Dacula, GA, about 30 miles east of Atlanta I was in for a surprise. A winter wonderland started to appear before my eyes. The evening of January 16th, 2008 brought chilly temperatures and large sparkling snowflakes. The weather reports had called for the unusual weather, but I just didn't expect to see snow in Atlanta, especially after so many warm days this winter in the south.

For days ahead of time residents of Atlanta and the surrounding areas have been stocking up for the cold front and possible snow in the forecast. Heather, a local cashier at Ingles in Dacula, is from New York and was a little shocked to see most of her customers buying bread, milk, water and the essentials in bulk this week in preparation.

"Up north everyone is so used to snow that you don't see this type of stock up unless a big blizzard is coming."

She also said, "Its fun to see people cautious, but happy and excited for snow to come their way." Customers told her they haven't had weather like this since 1993 and many weren't sure what to expect. Georgia resident Christina Wilzcek was at the bowling alley with her husband and three young sons when the manager made an announcement over the loud speakers that it had started snowing.

She said, "Everyone was giddy and excited, you just felt like a kid on Christmas morning!" People left their lanes to look out the windows and go outside to see for themselves. While many are enjoying the rare winter weather, many more are already starting to feel the negative impact. Many business are already closing for tomarrow including schools and government offices. Driveways and shaded side streets were already showing signs of the problems to expect in the morning as patches of ice formed early in the evening.

The area had warning of the coming snow and cold and most feel they are ready for the cold and snow to come. My friends and I are planning to take it easy tomarrow and stay off the roads untill they are clear. Our kids are excited to find a sledding spot and build snow men with kids in the area, some for the first time as many of their friends from the neighborhood have never seen snow before in person. Everywhere you look in the neighborhoods and out around town people are outside throwing snowballs, starting small snowmen or just watching the big white flakes fall from the sky. We are anxious to see what we will wake up to in the morning.

The inconveniences of slippery roads, driveways, and sidewalks should be short lived and hopefully drivers will stay off the roads or drive slowing and carefully. Most of all we are happy to see the snow falling and have the chance to experience a taste of northern winter weather here in the south. It's an opportunity to make some hot coco, sit by the fire and watch the snow float to the ground. I don't think anyone here is taking this lightly though, residents are aware of the dangers that ice and snow can bring and are being more cautious then those in areas where winter weather is common tend to be. All and all seeing Atlanta sparkle under a thin blanket of snow will be a picture perfect way to start the new year.