Winter Storm Tag Archive

As a bustling Southern city, Atlanta isn’t exactly known for its winter wonderlands. But when snow or ice does arrive, it often brings chaos, stranding drivers, knocking out power, and reminding us all why we cherish our mild climate.

To be sure, winter storms have hit metro Atlanta before. The one in 2018 left snow everywhere — but we’re talking about the worst ice storms in recent memory.

With a winter storm making its way to metro Atlanta once again, a possibility, let’s revisit the five most impactful winter storms in Atlanta’s history, based on their disruption to daily life, economic toll, and sheer memorability.

5 Biggest Winter Storms in Atlanta History

These events, drawn from local records, highlight how even modest accumulations can paralyze the Peach State’s capital.

1. Snow Jam ’82 (1982)

The infamous Snow Jam of 1982 kicked off Atlanta’s modern era of winter woes. Striking in mid-January, this storm dumped about 4 inches of snow across the metro area, catching the city off guard.

What started as a typical workday quickly devolved into gridlock, with thousands of commuters stranded on major highways like I-285 and I-75.

Many abandoned their vehicles altogether, trekking home on foot or hunkering down in nearby buildings. The city ground to a halt for days, with schools and businesses shuttered, marking one of the first times Atlantans truly grappled with snow-induced mayhem.

Georgia Governor George Busbee declared a state of emergency and mobilized the National Guard to assist stranded motorists and clear roadways, marking one of the first major state-level interventions for a winter event in Atlanta.

In the aftermath, Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson directed the city’s public works department to install snow plow mounts on garbage trucks to better prepare for future storms.

2. Blizzard of ’93 – The Storm of the Century (March 1993)

Often called the “Storm of the Century,” this massive blizzard slammed into Atlanta on March 13, 1993, after unusually warm temperatures in the preceding days lulled residents into complacency.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Atlanta office reported: “Total snowfall by late evening averaged 18 to 24 inches from Rome to Clayton with near 30 inches from Fannin to Union Counties.”

The city saw over 4 inches of snow, but the real devastation came from high winds, heavy accumulations in North Georgia (up to 3 feet), and widespread power outages affecting more than half a million Georgia Power customers—some without electricity for up to two weeks.

Here’s how the 1993 blizzard looked and felt via video footage:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writers Scott Marshall and Dennis McCafferty described it as: “A snowstorm for the ages crippled much of the state.”

Tragically, the storm claimed 15 lives in Georgia alone, with hundreds more nationwide, and left thousands of motorists stranded on I-75 into the following week. Economic losses in North Georgia topped $48 million, making this one of the deadliest and costliest winter events in state history.

3. Super Bowl Ice Storm (January 2000)

Just as Atlanta was gearing up to host Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome, Mother Nature delivered a one-two punch with an ice storm in late January 2000.

David Ratcliffe, CEO of Georgia Power (1993–2003), stated: “It was one of the worst ice storms we ever had.”

The initial wave hit on January 22, followed by more during the big game weekend.

While snowfall was minimal, the ice coating roads and power lines led to catastrophic conditions: over half a million people in North Georgia lost power, some for more than a week, and metro Atlanta reported hundreds of wrecks, including a massive 47-car pileup on I-20 westbound.

Ratcliffe further noted: “We had close to 500,000 people without power, some for over a week.”

Fortunately, the Super Bowl itself went off without a hitch, but the storm’s $48 million in damages underscored the vulnerability of the region’s infrastructure to freezing rain.

4. The 2011 Blizzard (January 2011)

On January 9, 2011, another blizzard blanketed Atlanta with nearly 4 inches of snow, transforming the city into a slippery nightmare.

A day later, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed was vocal about the response. He stated: “Last night, the City of Atlanta experienced a significant snowstorm with rapid accumulation and freezing rain, and we continue to experience below-freezing temperatures.

Police departments were overwhelmed, eventually stopping responses to non-injury accidents amid countless crashes.

A 15-mile stretch of I-285 was shut down, stranding truckers who slept in their cabs, while thousands of flights were canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—leading many passengers to camp out overnight rather than brave the roads.

The storm’s timing on a Sunday evening amplified the disruption, keeping schools closed and workers homebound for days.

Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves defended limited investments in equipment: “You’ve got to weigh the cost versus the need… The reality is, this kind of snowstorm happens every 10 or 15 years.”

5. Snowpacalypse 2014 – Snowmageddon (January 2014)

Echoing the chaos of 1982, Snow Jam 2014—dubbed “Snowmageddon”—struck on January 28 with just 2.6 inches of snow, but its timing was disastrous.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed tweeted pre-storm: “Atlanta, we are ready for the snow.”

Atlanta, we are ready for the snow. For useful numbers and information, make sure you read our press release: http://t.co/wogjK34YjT

— Kasim Reed (@KasimReed) January 28, 2014

This event elicited strong accountability from officials. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal admitted: “We don’t want to be accused of crying wolf,” explaining hesitation in early declarations.

“We are certainly ahead of the game this time, and that’s important,” Deal said. “We are trying to be ready, prepared and react as quickly as possible.”

As flurries began midday, schools, businesses, and government offices released everyone simultaneously, jamming over a million people onto the highways. Cars were abandoned en masse on I-75, I-85, and I-285, with some commuters stuck for up to 24 hours.

Ninety-nine Fulton County school buses were trapped until midnight, forcing 2,000 students to spend the night at school, while others sought refuge in stores like Kroger and Home Depot.

Charley English, head of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, confessed: “I got this one wrong,” regarding delayed activation of the emergency center.

Amid the turmoil, one heartwarming story emerged: a father delivered his baby girl in his car on I-285. The event prompted statewide reviews of emergency preparedness.

Reflecting later, Reed said: “We made an error in the way that we released our citizens.”

These storms serve as stark reminders that in Atlanta, it’s not always the depth of the snow but the unpreparedness that amplifies the impact.

Final Word

As we navigate the 2026 winter season, local officials urge residents to stock up on essentials, avoid unnecessary travel during forecasts, and heed warnings from the National Weather Service.

Stay safe out there, Atlanta—better to be overprepared than snowed under. For more local weather updates, check back with us regularly.

As the city lights up with yet another special event this weekend, remember: Safe driving is the real treat. For more tips on navigating safely around the city, read our Atlanta Traffic Guide.

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