2013-2014 Winter

Data from NWS Atlanta

Event Summary

The Winter of 2013-2014 in north Georgia (December 2013–February 2014) was one of the coldest, snowiest, and most disruptive winters in recent decades for the region. It was dominated by a prolonged polar vortex influence that brought multiple Arctic outbreaks, record cold temperatures, and several notable winter storms, including the infamous Snowmageddon event on January 28, 2014. North Georgia (including areas like Nelson, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Blairsville, and the north Atlanta suburbs) saw above-normal snowfall (seasonal totals 5–10+ inches in many spots), extreme cold (multiple single-digit lows), and significant travel/power disruptions. The winter is remembered as a benchmark for low-accumulation/high-impact snow events in the Southeast, with the January 28 storm causing widespread chaos despite modest totals.

Meteorological Setup

A strongly negative Arctic Oscillation (AO) and persistent polar vortex displacement kept cold air locked over the eastern U.S. for much of January and February. Multiple Arctic outbreaks funneled sub-zero air deep into the Southeast, with surface temperatures frequently in the single digits to teens°F in north Georgia. Moisture from Gulf lows and overrunning patterns produced several light-to-moderate snow/sleet events, amplified by high snow ratios (15:1 to 20:1+) due to deep, dry cold air. The most impactful storm was January 28 (Snowmageddon), driven by a Gulf low tracking northeastward overrunning extreme cold, creating black ice and rapid accumulation during rush hour. No classic heavy coastal snow like 1989 occurred, but the cold pattern was relentless.

Snowfall Amounts and Distribution

Snow occurred in multiple waves, with heaviest in late January (Snowmageddon) and early February:

North Georgia Mountains/Foothills (e.g., Blairsville, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Jasper): 6–12+ inches seasonal total; January 28 storm: 4–8 inches common, higher in upslope areas.
Union, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Lumpkin, Dawson Counties: Widespread 5–10 inches from January 28; seasonal totals often 8–15 inches.
North Atlanta Metro / Suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming, Canton, Nelson, GA): 3–6 inches on January 28; seasonal totals 5–10 inches.
Nelson, GA (your location): Likely 4–7 inches on January 28 (typical for lower foothills); seasonal total ~6–10 inches.: Likely 4–7 inches on January 28 (typical for lower foothills); seasonal total ~6–10 inches.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: 2.6 inches on January 28 (official); north metro fringe: higher.

Liquid equivalent was low (~0.15–0.30 inches per event), but high ratios and black ice amplified impacts.

Temperature Records

The winter was among the coldest in decades for north Georgia:

January 2014: One of the coldest Januarys on record (Atlanta average ~34°F, anomaly -6°F+); north Georgia even colder (foothills/mountains 5–10°F below Atlanta).
Low Temperatures: Multiple single-digit lows (e.g., -5F to 10F in mountains); wind chills -10F to -30F.
Highs: Struggled in the teens to 20s°F during peaks (e.g., 23–26°F on January 28 in Atlanta metro).
Broader: No all-time records broken, but prolonged cold (10–20°F below normal) was exceptional.

Impacts

Extreme cold + multiple snow/ice events caused widespread disruption in north Georgia:

Transportation: January 28 Snowmageddon: epic gridlock on I-75/I-85/I-285/GA 400; thousands abandoned vehicles (some stranded 12–24+ hours); >1,500 crashes statewide; schools failed to close early; National Guard deployed; north Georgia mountain roads hazardous for days.
Utilities and Infrastructure: Power outages from ice/snow weight (hundreds of thousands affected regionally); frozen pipes widespread.
Human Toll: At least 13 deaths regionally (accidents/exposure); hundreds injured; hardships from stranded motorists (no food/water/heat in cars).
Economic: Commerce paralyzed; schools/offices closed days; billions in broader winter wave costs; agriculture/poultry losses from cold.
Other Disruptions: People slept in offices/stores/schools; emergency shelters; iconic images of abandoned cars/freeways.

North Georgia (foothills/mountains) saw longer snow cover and more rural isolation than the immediate Atlanta metro.

Notes of Interest

Rarity and Legacy: Snowmageddon remains north Georgia's benchmark for low-accumulation/high-impact events—3–8 inches caused more chaos than deeper northern storms due to no plows, rear-wheel-drive cars, and rush-hour onset. Led to major reforms (forecasting, road treatment, school decisions). Anniversary retrospectives (10th in 2024) highlight lessons learned.
Environmental Oddities: Very high snow ratios (15:1 to 20:1+) due to extreme cold; black ice from warm-ground melt/refreeze; part of January 2014's polar vortex pattern.
Cultural Impact: Viral photos/videos of stranded drivers; memes/jokes about Southern snow panic; often compared to 1982 Snow Jam but worse due to scale/population. Comparisons: Unlike deep coastal snow of 1989 Christmas or heavy-band 1
Comparison to Recent Events: Unlike deep coastal snow of 1989 Christmas or heavy-band 1973, this was modest totals amplified by cold/urban timing; heavier north Georgia accumulations than airport reports.

This winter redefined "snow disaster" for north Georgia.

North and Central Georgia

Winter 2013-2014 Climate Summary

All sites were slightly cooler than normal with a significantly cooler January (most notable in minimum temps) and the majority of sites were wetter than normal.

Top 10 Rankings:

Athens

3^rd coolest January minimum temp
5^th coolest January average temp

Atlanta

4^th coolest January minimum temp

Columbus

2^nd coolest January minimum temp
4^th coolest January average temp
6^th wettest December
2^nd coolest January minimum temp
3^rd coolest January average temp
3^rd wettest December

* Complete rankings in tables below

Seasonal average Temperature (°F) and Rankings for Dec-Feb

* Click on site name below to view a graph with additional data

Site	Average Temp. and Current Ranking	Normal	Dep. from Normal	Previous Records
Athens	43.9 (29^th Coolest)	45.3	-1.4	38.5 (1976-77)
Atlanta	44.1 (51^st Coolest)	45.2	-1.1	37.0 (1976-77)
Columbus	47.3 (21^st Coolest)	49.0	-1.7	42.8 (1976-77)
Macon	46.3 (27^th Coolest)	48.0	-1.7	43.0 (1976-77)
Cartersville	40.8	42.8	-1.9
DeKalb Peachtree Airport	41.6	44.3	-2.7
Fulton Co. Airport	42.7	44.8	-2.1
Gainesville	42.1	43.6	-1.6
Peachtree City	43.0	44.7	-1.7
Rome	40.5	42.7	-2.2

Temp. Extremes (°F) for Dec-Feb

Site	Warmest Temp.	Coldest Temp.
Athens	77 on 2/20	7 on 1/7*
Atlanta	76 on 2/20	6 on 1/7*
Columbus	80 on 12/5	11 on 1/7*
Macon	78 on 2/20	11 on 1/7* & 1/30
Cartersville	80 on 1/11	-2 on 1/30
DeKalb Peachtree Arpt	75 on 2/20	5 on 1/7
Fulton Co. Arpt	77 on 2/20	5 on 1/30
Gainesville	74 on 12/6	5 on 1/7
Peachtree City	77 on 2/20	2 on 1/30
Rome	77 on 12/6	-1 on 1/30

December Average Temperature (°F) and Rankings

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Site	Average Temp. and Current Ranking	Normal	Dep. from Normal	Previous Records
Athens	47.6 (24^th Warmest)	45.4	+2.2	53.8 (1984)
Atlanta	48.1 (28^th Warmest)	45.3	+2.8	57.2 (1889)
Columbus	51.5 (18^th Warmest)	49.1	+2.4	57.7 (1971)
Macon	50.4 (36^th Warmest)	48.0	+2.4	56.3 (1956)
Cartersville	44.8	42.6	+2.2
DeKalb Peachtree Arpt	45.5	44.4	+1.1
Fulton Co. Arpt	46.7	44.8	+1.9
Gainesville	46.1	43.7	+2.4
Peachtree City	47.0	44.5	+2.5
Rome	44.5	42.6	+1.9

January average Temperature (°F) and Rankings

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Site	Average Temp. and Current Ranking	Normal	Dep. from Normal	Previous Records
Athens	37.0 (5^th Coolest)	43.5	-6.5	31.2 (1977)
Atlanta	37.0 (12^th Coolest)	43.3	-6.3	29.3 (1977)
Columbus	39.7 (4^th Coolest)	47.2	-7.5	36.6 (1977)
Macon	39.1 (3^rd Coolest)	46.3	-7.2	35.2 (1940)
Cartersville	34.0	41.1	-7.1
DeKalb Peachtree Arpt	34.6	42.3	-7.7
Fulton Co. Arpt	35.8	43.3	-7.5
Gainesville	34.9	41.7	-6.8
Peachtree City	36.0	42.8	-6.8
Rome	33.5	41.2	-7.7

January Average Minimum Temperature (°F) and Rankings

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Site	Average Temp. and Current Ranking	Previous Records
Athens	25.6 (3^rd Coolest)	21.7 (1940)
Atlanta	25.9 (4^th Coolest)	20.0 (1977)
Columbus	28.1 (2^nd Coolest)	26.4 (1977)
Macon	26.3 (2^nd Coolest)	25.7 (1940)

February average Temperature (°F) and Rankings

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Site	Average Temp. and Current Ranking	Normal	Dep. from Normal	Previous Records
Athens	47.0 (47^th Coolest)	47.2	-0.2	35.7 (1905)
Atlanta	47.3 (56^th Warmest)	47.2	+0.1	54.9 (1927)
Columbus	50.8 (35^th Coolest)	51.1	-0.3	40.8 (1958)
Macon	49.4 (60^th Coolest)	50.0	-0.6	40.8 (1968)
Cartersville	43.7	44.6	-0.9
DeKalb Peachtree Arpt	44.8	46.2	-1.4
Fulton Co. Arpt	45.7	46.3	-0.6
Gainesville	45.2	45.5	-0.3
Peachtree City	46.1	46.8	-0.7
Rome	43.6	44.4	-0.8

Seasonal Precipitation Totals (in) and Rankings for Dec-Feb

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Site	Total Precip. and Current Ranking	Normal	Dep. from Normal	Previous Records
Athens	16.26 (33^rd Wettest)	12.26	+4.00	23.20 (1935-36)
Atlanta	14.96 (45^th Wettest)	12.77	+2.19	26.30 (1919-20)
Columbus	17.19 (15^th Wettest)	12.56	+4.63	22.52 (2009-10)
Macon	16.87 (19^th Wettest)	12.64	+4.23	23.34 (1924-25)
Cartersville	15.74	13.74	+2.00
DeKalb Peachtree Arpt	13.67	13.97	-0.30
Fulton Co. Arpt	13.40	13.16	+0.24
Gainesville	15.47	14.40	+1.07
Peachtree City	13.75	13.24	+0.51
Rome	16.58	14.07	+2.51

Precipitation Extremes (in) for Dec-Feb

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Site	Highest Daily Amount
Athens	2.75 on 01/11
Atlanta	3.12 on 12/22*
Columbus	3.10 on 12/22*
Macon	2.34 on 12/22
Cartersville	4.10 on 12/22
DeKalb Peachtree Arpt	2.74 on 12/22
Fulton Co. Arpt	2.16 on 12/22
Gainesville	3.65 on 12/22
Peachtree City	3.39 on 12/22
Rome	2.09 on 12/22

December Precipitation Totals (in) and Rankings<

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Site	Total Precip. and Current Ranking	Normal	Dep. from Normal	Previous Records
Athens	7.62 (14^th Wettest)	3.73	+3.89	11.31 (1931)
Atlanta	7.80 (15^th Wettest)	3.90	+3.90	12.94 (1919)
Columbus	8.87 (6^th Wettest)	4.27	+4.60	13.62 (2009)
Macon	9.04 (3^rd Wettest)	4.04	+5.00	10.39 (1972)
Cartersville	10.02	4.24	+5.78
DeKalb Peachtree Arpt	7.31	4.16	+3.15
Fulton Co. Arpt	7.73	3.99	+3.74
Gainesville	9.48	4.50	+4.98
Peachtree City	7.41	4.14	+3.27
Rome	8.90	4.38	+4.52

January Precipitation Totals (in) and Rankings

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Site	Total Precip. and Current Ranking	Normal	Dep. from Normal	Previous Records
Athens	4.68 (55^th Wettest)	4.05	+0.63	12.83 (1936)
Atlanta	3.35 (41^st Driest)	4.20	-0.85	0.84 (1981)
Columbus	2.91 (19^th Driest)	3.85	-0.94	0.72 (1989)
Macon	3.23 (53^rd Driest)	4.24	-1.01	0.59 (1928)
Cartersville	2.33	4.60	-2.27
DeKalb Peachtree Arpt	2.97	4.80	-1.83
Fulton Co. Arpt	2.60	4.27	-1.67
Gainesville	2.96	5.03	-2.07
Peachtree City	2.38	4.20	-1.82
Rome	3.29	4.82	-1.53

February Precipitation Totals (in) and Rankings

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Site	Total Precip. and Current Ranking	Normal	Dep. from Normal	Previous Records
Athens	3.96 (50^th Driest)	4.48	-0.52	0.66 (1898)
Atlanta	3.81 (56^th Driest)	4.67	-0.86	0.56 (1906)
Columbus	5.41 (22^nd Wettest)	4.44	+0.97	12.47 (2013)
Macon	4.60 (50^th Wettest)	4.36	+0.24	12.87 (2013)
Cartersville	3.39	4.90	-1.51
DeKalb Peachtree Arpt	3.39	5.01	-1.62
Fulton Co. Arpt	3.07	4.90	-1.83
Gainesville	3.03	4.87	-1.84
Peachtree City	3.96	4.90	-0.94
Rome	4.39	4.87	-0.48

Seasonal Snowfall Totals (in) and Records for Dec-Feb

* Set record for day

Site	Total Snowfall	Normal	Dep. from Normal	Records
Athens	1.0	2.1	-1.1	13.6 (2010-11)
Atlanta	4.6	2.1	+2.5	10.9 (1935-36)
Columbus	1.2	0.3	-0.9	14.0 (1972-73)
Macon	2.1	0.5	+1.6	16.5 (1972-73)

Records Set this Winter

Athens:
Low minimum temperature of 7 on 1/7 (breaks old record of 12 in 1970)
Low maximum temperature of 29 on 1/7 (breaks old record of 30 in 1905)
High minimum temperature:
- 62 on 12/5 (breaks old record of 59 in 1912)
- 63 on 12/6 (breaks old record of 59 in 1912)
- 54 on 2/19 (ties old record from 1986, 1961, and 1938)
High maximum temperature of 71 on 12/22 (breaks old record of 70 in 1918)

Atlanta:
Low minimum temperature of 6 on 1/7 (breaks old record of 10 in 1970)
High minimum temperature:
- 65 on 12/5 (breaks old record of 60 in 1998)
- 59 on 12/6 (breaks old record of 57 in 2011, 1998, and 1912)
- 59 on 2/19 (breaks old record of 57 in 1890)
High maximum temperature:
- 75 on 12/6 (ties old record of 75 in 2001)
- 71 on 12/22 (breaks old record of 70 in 1889)
- 74 on 2/2 (breaks old record of 73 in 1986)
Daily snowfall total:
- 2.6” on 1/28 (breaks old record of Trace in 2005)
- Trace on 2/12 (ties old record of Trace in 2006)
- 0.6” on 2/13 (breaks old record of Trace in 2012)
Daily precipitation total of 3.12” on 12/22 (breaks old record of 1.78” in 1907)

Columbus:
Low minimum temperature of 11 on 1/7 (breaks old record of 17 in 1970)
Low maximum temperature:
- 29 on 1/7 (breaks old record of 34 in 1970)
- 30 on 1/29 (breaks old record of 35 in 2005)
High minimum temperature:
- 66 on 12/5 (breaks old record of 63 in 1994)
- 65 on 12/6 (breaks old record of 63 in 2011)
Daily snowfall total of 1.2” on 1/28 (breaks old record of Trace in 2005)
Daily precipitation total of 3.10” on 12/22 (breaks old record of 2.54” in 1956)

Macon:
Low minimum temperature:
- 11 on 1/7 (breaks old record of 14 in 1924)
- 12 on 1/8 (breaks old record of 13 in 1970)
- 13 on 1/25 (breaks old record of 16 in 1963)
Low maximum temperature:
- 29 on 1/7 (breaks old record of 35 in 1988)
- 27 on 1/29 (breaks old record of 34 in 2000)
Daily snowfall total:
- 2.1” on 1/28 (breaks old record of Trace in 2005)
- Trace on 2/13 (ties old record of Trace in 1971)

2013-2014 Winter

Data from NWS Atlanta

Event Summary

Meteorological Setup

Snowfall Amounts and Distribution

Temperature Records

Impacts

Notes of Interest

North and Central Georgia

Winter 2013-2014 Climate Summary

Temp. Extremes (°F) for Dec-Feb

December Average Temperature (°F) and Rankings

* Set record for day

January average Temperature (°F) and Rankings

* Set record for day

January Average Minimum Temperature (°F) and Rankings

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February average Temperature (°F) and Rankings

* Set record for day

Seasonal Precipitation Totals (in) and Rankings for Dec-Feb

* Set record for day

Precipitation Extremes (in) for Dec-Feb

* Set record for day

December Precipitation Totals (in) and Rankings<

* Set record for day

January Precipitation Totals (in) and Rankings

* Set record for day

February Precipitation Totals (in) and Rankings

* Set record for day

Seasonal Snowfall Totals (in) and Records for Dec-Feb

* Set record for day

Records Set this Winter

Never base important decisions on this or any weather information obtained from the Internet. Always have a backup method of receiving weather information such as a battery powered weather radio. Copyright © 2026 DaculaWeather.com

Never base important decisions on this or any weather information obtained from the Internet.
Always have a backup method of receiving weather information such as a battery powered weather radio.
Copyright © 2026 DaculaWeather.com