2009-2010 Georgia Winter

Data from the National Weather Service

Event Summary

The Winter of 2009-2010 in north Georgia (December 2009–February 2010) was one of the snowiest and coldest winters in recent decades for the region, driven by a strongly negative Arctic Oscillation that locked cold air in place and allowed multiple winter storms to impact areas unaccustomed to heavy snow. North Georgia (including areas like Nelson, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Blairsville, and the north Atlanta suburbs) saw above-normal snowfall (seasonal totals 5–12+ inches in many spots), prolonged cold temperatures, and several notable events, including a rare Deep South snowstorm on February 12-13 that contributed to snow on the ground in all 50 U.S. states simultaneously. The winter is remembered for its frequency of snow events, rare southern reach, and significant disruptions, though no single blockbuster like 2014 Snowmageddon occurred.

Meteorological Setup

A strongly negative Arctic Oscillation (-AO) displaced the polar vortex southward, enabling repeated Arctic air surges into the eastern U.S. combined with Gulf/Atlantic moisture overrunning the cold dome.
This produced multiple overrunning winter storms:

  • Late December 2009: Heavy mountain/Piedmont snow.
  • Late January 2010 (Jan 29-30): Upper-level disturbance spawned heavy snow bands across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia.
  • February 12-13: Gulf-origin low tracked northeast, drawing moisture over deep cold air for widespread snow/sleet across the Deep South and north Georgia.
  • February 12-13: Gulf-origin low tracked northeast, drawing moisture over deep cold air for widespread snow/sleet across the Deep South and north Georgia.
  • Other cold snaps featured light wintry mix without major lows.
    The pattern favored high snow ratios (15:1 to 20:1+) in cold air, with bands enhanced by frontogenesis and upper-level support. No classic Miller A/B nor'easter dominated, but coastal influences amplified some events.

Snowfall Amounts and Distribution

Snow occurred in multiple waves, with heaviest in late January (western Carolinas/northeast GA) and mid-February (broader Deep South/Southeast reach). Season totals were above normal:

  • North Georgia Mountains/Foothills (e.g., Blairsville, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Jasper): 6–12+ inches seasonal total; late January storm: 6–10 inches in spots; February 12-13: 2–5 inches.
  • Union, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Lumpkin, Dawson Counties: Widespread 5–10 inches from events; seasonal totals often 8–15 inches.
  • North Atlanta Metro / Suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming, Canton, Nelson, GA): Likely 4–8 inches seasonal total (typical for lower foothills; consistent with nearby Dawson/Lumpkin reports of 5–10 inches).
  • Nelson, GA (your location): Likely 4–8 inches seasonal total (typical for lower foothills; consistent with nearby Dawson/Lumpkin reports of 5–10 inches).
  • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: ~5.3 inches seasonal total (top-5 all-time); individual events: 1–3 inches.

The February 12-13 storm's southern reach was extraordinary, marking rare Gulf Coast/Deep South snow and contributing to 49-state snow cover on February 13 (Hawaii the exception).

Temperature Records

Prolonged cold dominated, especially January (much below normal); February mixed but cold snaps persisted:

  • North Georgia: Lows teens/single digits during peaks; highs struggled in the 20's–30'sF.
  • Atlanta Metro: January lows 10–15F; highs in 20s–30sF during events.
  • Broader: No widespread all-time lows, but January 2010 was among the coldest in decades in parts; wind chills amplified.

Cold air entrenched, supporting efficient snow production.

Impacts

Multiple storms + cold caused disruptions across unprepared north Georgia:

  • Transportation: Late January: hazardous roads in foothills/mountains; February 12-13: icy conditions, accidents in north Georgia; schools/businesses closed; travel delays (e.g., GA 400, I-575).
  • Utilities and Infrastructure: Power outages from ice/snow weight (thousands affected in north Georgia); frozen pipes in cold snaps.
  • Human Toll: Limited direct fatalities, but exposure/accident risks; cold-related issues.
  • Economic: Agriculture/poultry potential losses from cold; commerce disrupted during storms.
  • Other Disruptions: Daily life halted briefly; rare snow scenes (e.g., north Georgia mountains) viral; emergency services strained.

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


Notes of Interest

  • Rarity and Legacy: One of the snowiest modern winters for north Georgia; February 13, 2010, snow on ground in all 50 states (rare climatological feat); Atlanta top-5 seasonal total; multiple measurable events unusual.
  • Environmental Oddities: High snow ratios in cold air; southernmost accumulations (e.g., FL Panhandle); negative AO driving pattern.
  • Cultural Impact: Memorable for surprise snow (e.g., Valentine's weekend Feb 12-13); NWS summaries, photos of north Georgia snow; contrasted with milder expectations.
  • Comparison to Recent Events: Unlike single-event 1989 Christmas (coastal records/extreme cold), 2009-10 featured multiple storms with broader coverage and rare southern reach; more like 2014 Snowmageddon pattern but earlier/snowier in spots.

This winter brought frequent surprises and rare snow to north Georgia.



The average temperatures for the December 2009 - February 2010 period were among some of the coldest ever across north and central Georgia.  Each of the four climate sites - Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Athens Ben Epps Airport, Columbus Metropolitan  Airport and Macon/Middle Georgia Regional Airport - saw average temperatures among the ten coldest ever recorded.  The average temperatures Columbus had the 4th coldest average temperature for the winter season, while Macon tied for the 5th coldest, Atlanta was the eighth coldest and Athens tied for the ninth coldest winter season.

Average Temperatures (December 1 - February 28)

Atlanta Athens Macon Columbus
Year Avg Temp Year Avg Temp Year Avg Temp Year Avg Temp
1976-1977 36.9 1976-1977 38.4 1976-1977 42.8 1976-1977 42.6
1977-1978 38.3 1904-1905 38.6 1977-1978 43.4 1963-1964 42.9
1962-1963 38.8 1917-1918 38.6 1935-1936 43.5 1977-1978 43.2
1963-1964 38.8 1903-1904 38.9 1939-1940 43.5 2009-2010 43.4
1935-1936 38.9 1977-1978 39.2 1901-1902 43.6 1962-1963 43.5
1939-1940 39.0 1909-1910 39.4 2009-2010 43.6 1969-1970 43.6
1901-1902 39.2 1962-1963 39.8 1904-1905 43.7 1957-1958 43.7
2009-2010 40.1 1963-1964 39.9 1963-1964 43.8 1968-1969 45.1
1885-1886 40.2 1935-1936 40.4 1917-1918 44.0 1960-1961 45.6
1917-1918 40.2 2009-2010 40.4 1903-1904 44.2 1965-1966 45.9


2009-2010 Temperature Anomaly 2009-2010 Ranking
   
   
   

The total snowfall this season at Atlanta breaks top 5 for total snowfall recorded December through March for the period of record.   As of midnight Wednesday March 3, the total snowfall for the winter season so far is 5.3 inches which is now the fifth highest since accurate snow records began in 1929. Additionally...the snow on March 2nd marks the third time measurable snow and the tenth time at least a trace of snow or sleet fell at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this season, and it is the 8th largest snow of all time in Atlanta. In an average winter season Atlanta typically experiences 4 days of measurable snow and 6 days with a trace or more of snow or sleet

Snowfall (December 1 - March 30)

Atlanta Athens Macon Columbus
Normal: 2.5  inches Normal: 2.5 inches Normal: 1.6 inches Normal: 1.1 inches
Total through March 2nd Total through March 2nd Total through March 2nd Total through March 2nd
5.3 inches 5.0 inches 3.0 inches 2.0 inches
Year Snowfall Year Snowfall Year Snowfall Year Snowfall
1935-1936 10.9 1935-1936 12.0 1972-1973 16.5 1972-1973 14.0
1982-1983 10.3 1982-1983 10.6 1935-1936 4.6 1992-1993 2.5
1939-1940 8.3 1939-1940 9.8 1954-1955 3.7 2009-2010 2.0
1981-1982 7.7 1959-1960 8.6 1978-1979 3.4 1978-1979 2.0
2009-2010 5.3 1933-1934 8.2 2009-2010 3.0 1981-1982 2.0
1991-1992 5.0 1986-1987 7.5 1939-1940 3.0 1993-1994 1.6
1959-1960 4.8 1981-1982 7.1 1976-1977 3.0 1976-1977 1.4
1986-1987 4.8 1979-1980 6.3 1967-1968 2.9 1979-1980 1.0
1978-1979 4.6 1965-1966 5.6 1992-1993 2.6 1982-1983 1.0
1933-1934 4.5 2009-2010 5.0 1981-1982 2.2 1987-1988 1.0
1961-1962 4.5 1978-1979 4.7 1987-1988 2.1 1996-1997 1.0