January 09-10, 2011 Georgia Winter Storm
Data from NWS Atlanta
Event Summary
The January 9-10, 2011 winter storm (often called the Sunday-Monday Snowstorm or January 2011 North Georgia Snow Event) was a significant winter weather event that brought a heavy wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain to north and central Georgia, with the heaviest impacts across the northern suburbs, foothills, and mountains. The storm peaked Sunday evening into Monday morning (January 9–10, 2011), producing 4–10 inches of accumulation in many north Georgia counties, making it one of the heaviest snowfall events in the Atlanta metro area and north Georgia in recent decades. It caused widespread chaos due to rapid icing on roads, power outages, and school/business closures during a period of extreme cold. North Georgia (including areas like Blairsville, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Dawsonville, and Nelson) received the heaviest totals, with the event remembered as a classic "surprise" Southern snow/ice storm that shut down the region.
Meteorological Setup
A strong upper-level trough dug into the eastern U.S., supporting a surface low that developed over the northern Gulf of Mexico and tracked northeastward across the Southeast. Deep Arctic air from a polar vortex influence was already entrenched, with surface temperatures in the teens to 20s°F across north Georgia. Gulf moisture overran this cold dome in a classic overrunning pattern, producing heavy precipitation that began as snow inland and transitioned to sleet/freezing rain farther south. The low's track favored a narrow but intense band of heavy snow/sleet across north and central Georgia, the Upstate of South Carolina, and western North Carolina, with snowfall rates of 1–2+ inches per hour in the core band on January 9 evening into January 10 morning. The deep cold air supported high snow ratios (10:1 to 15:1+), and the event was amplified by evaporative cooling and frontogenesis. The band was oriented to maximize accumulations in the north Georgia foothills and mountains.
Snowfall Amounts and Distribution
Snow and wintry mix began late January 9 and peaked January 10, with heaviest in a band across north and central Georgia, especially the northern suburbs, foothills, and mountains:
-
The shape of a snowflake depends heavily on the temperature of the layer in which it grows:
- North Georgia Mountains/Foothills: (e.g., Blairsville, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Jasper, Blue Ridge): 6–10 inches common; higher elevations (e.g., near Brasstown Bald) up to 10+ inches in upslope areas.
- Union, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Lumpkin, White Counties: Widespread 6–9 inches; some isolated higher totals.
- Dawson, Forsyth, Cherokee, Hall Counties: 5–8 inches.
- Atlanta Metro Fringe / Lower North Georgia: (e.g., Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming, Canton): 5–7 inches; Cobb/Cherokee/Forsyth counties: 6–8 inches common.
- Nelson Georgia: Likely 5–8 inches (typical for the lower foothills; consistent with nearby Dawson/Lumpkin reports of 6–9 inches).
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport recorded 4.4 inches (snow + sleet mix), but north Georgia foothills/mountains saw significantly more. Totals tapered rapidly south (e.g., Macon ~1 inch, Columbus trace).
Temperature Records
The storm arrived amid a prolonged cold pattern (one of the coldest Januarys in decades for north Georgia). Temperatures during precipitation were in the 20'sF, supporting snow/sleet accumulation:
- North Georgia: Lows 8–15F (e.g., Ellijay 8F, Dahlonega 12F); highs only in the 20s–30sF during active precip.
- Atlanta Metro: Lows 10–14°F (Jan 10–11); January 2011 was Atlanta's coldest January since 1977 (average ~34F, anomaly -6F+).
- Broader: No all-time January lows set, but the cold was among the most prolonged in decades; wind chills -10F to -20F.
Impacts
Heavy snow/sleet + extreme cold created major hazards, especially in north Georgia:
- Transportation: Major gridlock on I-75/I-85/I-285 and metro Atlanta highways; hundreds of accidents; roads impassable for days; schools/businesses/government offices closed Monday–Wednesday (many north Georgia counties remained closed longer); stranded motorists; National Guard assistance in some areas.
- Utilities and Infrastructure: Widespread power outages (thousands affected in north Georgia from ice/snow weight on lines/trees); frozen pipes; overwhelmed emergency services.
- Human Toll: No major fatalities directly tied in north Georgia reports, but exposure/accident risks elevated; medical access issues in rural mountain areas.
- Economic: Commerce/agriculture disrupted; school closures extended; recovery took days in hardest-hit north Georgia counties.
- Other Disruptions: Daily life halted; residents surprised by intensity; emergency shelters opened; north Georgia "snow days" extended.red north Georgia mountains and towns); kids enjoyed sledding; many power outages avoided due to light precip.
Other Notes of Interest
- Rarity and Legacy: One of the heaviest snow events in the Atlanta metro area in recent decades (4.4 inches at airport, 6–10 inches north); January 2011 remains a benchmark for north Georgia winter chaos; totals in foothills/mountains among top-10 single events.
- Unusual Phenomena: Heavy band focused on north/central Georgia; rapid transitions to sleet/ice south; high snow ratios in cold air; part of 2010-11's snowy/cold pattern.
- Cultural Impact: Memorable as a "surprise" shutdown in north Georgia; NWS retrospectives, photos of snow-covered north metro and mountain areas; often compared to 2014 Snowmageddon but with heavier north Georgia totals.
- Comparisons: Unlike coastal-heavy 1989 Christmas or band-heavy 1973, this 2011 event was Piedmont/foothill-focused with significant north Georgia accumulations and Atlanta metro gridlock.
My Summary
This storm has to be one of the best winter storms in recent memory for north Georgia, and especially for the metro area.
Morning of the 10th. An upper level disturbance tracked across the northern Gulf of Mexico, drawing abundant moisture into the Southeastern U.S. Prior to the arrival of the moisture, a large, cool area of high pressure was entrenched over the southern United States. This helped set the stage for one of the more significant winter weather events in years. Warm, moist air transported north by the low pressure system overrode the cool, dry air at the surface Sunday night.
As mid-level rain and snow fell into the cold surface air, it evaporated and caused the surface temperatures to cool even further. By late Sunday evening, the precipitation reached the surface, appearing as a mix of rain, sleet and snow across central Georgia, with accumulations of up to two inches. In north Georgia, where the cold air was deeper, precipitation fell in the form of mostly snow with some sleet. Between 10 p.m. and midnight on Sunday, an area of intense deformation band of snow developed along and just north of the I-20 corridor, contributing to a narrow band of 6”- 8.5” total snowfall amounts in Eastern Georgia. To the north of I-20, the airmass was sufficiently cold and moist to produce widespread snowfall amounts greater than 6”. In the northernmost counties of Georgia, and especially at higher elevations, snowfall amounts of 8” to 10” were common.
The heavier snow and sleet accumulations began tapering off by mid-day Monday (January 10), but temperatures hovered at or below freezing throughout the day. Persistent freezing drizzle and light freezing rain across much of central and northern Georgia on Monday helped extend the winter event into the afternoon. Reports of ice accumulations from 0.1” to 0.5” were received on Monday – mainly across central Georgia. More information on the snow, ice and sleet accumulations can be found in the Public Information Statement toward the bottom of this page.
Here in Dacula, the precipitation initially began as sleet but only for a few minutes. Heavy snow began falling at 9:35 pm and by midnight we had 5" of accumulation. The snow continued throughout the night and by morning we recorded 7.5" of snow, 0.55" of water equivalent for a 13.6 - 1 snow/liquid ratio. Snow tapered off by early morning and despite the fact the temperatures remained at 25-26 degrees all day long, the precipitation changed over to all freezing rain for the rest of the day on the 10th. Accumulations of ice compacted and locked in the snow into what appeared to be a solid sheet of ice. From 6:45 am Monday until 6:45 am Tuesday, we recorded .33" of additional precipitation that fell as sleet and freezing rain. The additional ice sealed in the snow to the point that metro Atlanta schools were closed for 5 straight days. Here's the view in my backyard on Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th, 5 and 6 days after the snowfall, and still 4" of snow and ice:
Weather Prediction Center Storm Summaries
- Storm Summary 14 issued at 09Z Thursday January 13, 2011
- Storm Summary 13 issued at 03Z Thursday January 13, 2011
- Storm Summary 12 issued at 21Z Wednesday January 12, 2011
- Storm Summary 11 issued at 15Z Wednesday January 12, 2011
- Storm Summary 10 issued at 09Z Wednesday January 12, 2011
- Storm Summary 9 issued at 03Z Wednesday January 12, 2011
- Storm Summary 8 issued at 21Z Tuesday January 11, 2011
- Storm Summary 7 issued at 15Z Tuesday January 11, 2011
- Storm Summary 6 issued at 09Z Tuesday January 11, 2011
- Storm Summary 5 issued at 03Z Tuesday January 11, 2011
- Storm Summary 4 issued at 21Z Monday January 10, 2011
- Storm Summary 3 issued at 15Z Monday January 10, 2011
- Storm Summary 2 issued at 09Z Monday January 10, 2011
- Storm Summary 1 issued at 03Z Monday January 10, 2011
Georgia Snow Totals
Georgia Ice Totals
North Carolina Snow Amounts
Alabama Snow Amounts
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT - UPDATED - 610 PM EST SUN DEC 26 2010
NOUS42 KFFC 262308
PNSFFC
GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-271200-
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
610 PM EST SUN DEC 26 2010
THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE RECENT
SNOWSTORM. APPRECIATION IS EXTENDED TO EMERGENCY MANAGERS...COUNTY
911 OPERATORS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN SPOTTERS AND MEDIA
FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR HOME PAGE
AT WEATHER.GOV/ATLANTA.
********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************
LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS
SNOWFALL OF
/INCHES/ MEASUREMENT
GEORGIA
...DADE COUNTY...
TRENTON 6.0 200 PM 12/25 IN THE MOUNTAINS.
...WALKER COUNTY...
LAFAYETTE 5.0 700 PM 12/25 4-5 INCHES WIDESPREAD.
...CATOOSA COUNTY...
RINGGOLD 6.0 200 PM 12/26
RINGGOLD 5.0 W 5.0 800 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
RINGGOLD 2.8 SW 4.7 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...WHITFIELD COUNTY...
DALTON 3.0 200 PM 12/26
COHUTTA 4.0 700 PM 12/25 3.5 TO 4 INCHES.
...MURRAY COUNTY...
ETON 4.0 200 PM 12/26 3 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS
LOWER ELEVATIONS.
FORT MOUNTAIN STATE 7.0 200 PM 12/26 6 TO 7 INCHES ON THE
PARK MOUNTAIN.
CHATSWORTH 3.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...GILMER COUNTY...
ELLIJAY 5.0 200 PM 12/26 4 TO 5 INCHES ACROSS
LOWER ELEVATIONS.
CHERRY LOG 7.0 200 PM 12/26 6 TO 7 INCHES ACROSS
HIGHER ELEVATIONS.
...FANNIN COUNTY...
BLUE RIDGE 6.0 700 PM 12/25 WIDESPREAD 5-6 INCHES.
...UNION COUNTY...
BLAIRSVILLE 6.0 700 PM 12/25
SUCHES 7.0 800 PM 12/25
BLAIRSVILLE 4.2 E 4.5 900 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
SUCHES 8 NW 6.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...TOWNS COUNTY...
HIAWASSEE 6.0 700 PM 12/25 5-6 INCHES WIDESPREAD.
...CHATTOOGA COUNTY...
SUMMERVILLE 4.0 200 PM 12/26
LYERLY 4.8 SSE 2.3 800 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...GORDON COUNTY...
CALHOUN 3.0 700 PM 12/25
...PICKENS COUNTY...
JASPER 4.0 200 PM 12/26 2 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
JASPER 4.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...DAWSON COUNTY...
DAWSONVILLE 5.0 200 PM 12/26 3 TO 5 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
EMMA 4.3 WNW 4.0 800 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...LUMPKIN COUNTY...
DAHLONEGA 4.0 200 PM 12/26 2 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS
THE SOUTHERN PART OF
THE COUNTY.
CAMP MERRILL 6.0 200 PM 12/26 AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.
DAHLONEGA 6.4 NW 2.2 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...WHITE COUNTY...
HELEN 3.0 200 PM 12/26
HELEN 9.5 ENE 2.5 800 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
SAUTEE 3.5 SW 2.5 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
SAUTEE 2.3 700 AM 12/26 COOP
CLEVELAND 2.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...FLOYD COUNTY...
ROME 3.0 700 PM 12/25 WIDEPSREAD 2-3 INCHES.
ROME 3.7 E 1.5 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
CURRYVILLE 1.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...BARTOW COUNTY...
CARTERSVILLE 3.0 200 PM 12/26
ADAIRSVILLE 2.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...CHEROKEE COUNTY...
CANTON 3.0 700 PM 12/25 2-3 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
WOODSTOCK 3.3 NNE 3.5 800 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
HOLLY SPRINGS 1.0 NNE 3.0 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
CANTON 2.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...FORSYTH COUNTY...
CUMMING 3.0 200 PM 12/26 2 TO 3 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
CUMMING 5.7 SSW 2.0 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
CUMMING 3.5 E 1.5 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...HALL COUNTY...
GAINESVILLE 3.0 200 PM 12/26 2 TO 3 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
CLERMONT 1.0 SSE 2.0 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
GAINESVILLE 6.1 NNW 1.7 730 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
GAINESVILLE 1.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...BANKS COUNTY...
COMMERCE 4.0 400 PM 12/26
...JACKSON COUNTY...
JEFFERSON 4.0 200 PM 12/26 3 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
NICHOLSON 4.2 S 1.7 800 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...MADISON COUNTY...
DANIELSVILLE 3.0 200 PM 12/26
NICHOLSON 5.7 SE 2.8 735 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
COMER 3.5 NE 2.0 820 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
NICHOLSON 4.9 SE 1.8 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
DANIELSVILLE 3.1 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...POLK COUNTY...
CEDARTOWN 3.0 200 PM 12/26 2 TO 3 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
ROCKMART 9.6 SSE 4.5 500 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
CEDARTOWN 1.3 NE 2.0 1100 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...HARALSON COUNTY...
BUCHANAN 2.0 700 PM 12/25
...PAULDING COUNTY...
DALLAS 2.5 N 3.0 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
DALLAS 4.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...COBB COUNTY...
ACWORTH 2.0 848 PM 12/25
MARIETTA 7.0 NNE 2.7 900 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
MARIETTA 8.3 NE 1.5 820 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
MABELTON 1.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...FULTON COUNTY...
ROSWELL 1.0 NNW 2.0 800 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
FAIRBURN 0.6 NW 1.7 818 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
ATLANTA 9 NW 1.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
ALPHARETTA 4 SSW 2.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...GWINNETT COUNTY...
LILBURN 1.5 200 PM 12/26
DACULA 2.8 SE 2.1 645 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
BUFORD 4.6 ESE 2.0 945 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
LAWRENCEVILLE 1.4 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...BARROW COUNTY...
WINDER 4.0 200 PM 12/26 2 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
STATHAM 4.0 200 PM 12/26
...OCONEE COUNTY...
BOGART 3.0 200 PM 12/26
BISHOP 3.0 WNW 2.0 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...CLARKE COUNTY...
ATHENS 3.0 200 PM 12/26
ATHENS 7.6 SE 3.0 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
ATHENS 3.2 NW 2.5 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
WINTERVILLE 0.6 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...OGLETHORPE COUNTY...
LEXINGTON 4.0 200 PM 12/26 2 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
COLBERT 3.1 SSE 1.5 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
LEXINGTON 1.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...WILKES COUNTY...
WASHINGTON 1.5 700 AM 12/26 COOP
WASHINGTON 4.0 400 PM 12/26 2 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
...CARROLL COUNTY...
VILLA RICA 3.0 945 PM 12/25
TEMPLE 0.7 E 2.5 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
CARROLLTON 3.2 SW 2.0 800 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
CARROLLTON 2.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...DOUGLAS COUNTY...
CHAPEL HILL 1.5 831 PM 12/25
DOUGLASVILLE 0.2 N 2.0 530 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...DEKALB COUNTY...
DECATUR 0.5 200 PM 12/26
NORTH DECATUR 3.0 NNE 2.5 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
DUNWOODY 1.1 NW 1.6 829 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...WALTON COUNTY...
LOGANVILLE 4.0 SSE 1.6 700 AM 12/26 COCORAHS
...HEARD COUNTY...
FRANKLIN 1.0 200 PM 12/26 0.5 TO 1 INCH.
...COWETA COUNTY...
NEWNAN 1.0 400 PM 12/26
NEWNAN 0.7 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...FAYETTE COUNTY...
FAYETTEVILLE 2.0 200 PM 12/26
...CLAYTON COUNTY...
HARTSFIELD-JACKSON 1.5 200 PM 12/26
JONESBORO T 200 PM 12/26
...HENRY COUNTY...
MCDONOUGH T 700 AM 12/26 COOP
STOCKBRIDGE 1.0 400 PM 12/26
...NEWTON COUNTY...
COVINGTON 1.0 400 PM 12/26
...MORGAN COUNTY...
MADISON 3.0 400 PM 12/26 2 TO 3 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
...GREENE COUNTY...
GREENSBORO 4.0 400 PM 12/26 3 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
...TALIAFERRO COUNTY...
CRAWFORDVILLE 4.0 400 PM 12/26 3 TO 4 INCHES ACROSS
THE COUNTY.
...SPALDING COUNTY...
GRIFFIN 1.0 400 PM 12/26
...BUTTS COUNTY...
JACKSON 0.5 200 PM 12/26
...JASPER COUNTY...
MONTICELLO 0.5 400 PM 12/26
...PUTNAM COUNTY...
EATONTON 0.5 400 PM 12/26
...HANCOCK COUNTY...
SPARTA 1.5 400 PM 12/26 0.5 TO 1.5 INCHES.
...WARREN COUNTY...
WARRENTON 0.5 400 PM 12/26
...TROUP COUNTY...
LA GRANGE 1.0 655 PM 12/25
...MERIWETHER COUNTY...
GREENVILLE 1.0 400 PM 12/26
...PIKE COUNTY...
ZEBULON 0.5 400 PM 12/26
...MONROE COUNTY...
FORSYTH T 200 PM 12/26
...BALDWIN COUNTY...
MILLEDGEVILLE 1.0 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...UPSON COUNTY...
THOMASTON 0.5 200 PM 12/26
THOMASTON 0.3 700 AM 12/26 COOP
...BIBB COUNTY...
MACON T 200 PM 12/26
...MUSCOGEE COUNTY...
COLUMBUS T 700 AM 12/26 COOP
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