February 15th, 2021 – 5:00 PM
The National Weather Service and GDOT-
According to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, the potential for black ice on roads in Northwest Georgia is expected until Tuesday morning with the following Counties potentially effected: Floyd, Polk, Gordon, Bartow, Paulding, and Chattooga.
Rainfall associated with an approaching cold front will be moving through the region this afternoon and evening. As the rain exits the region this evening cold air will filter into the area quickly behind the rainfall.
In addition…relative humidity values are expected to remain high over night. As a result of the temperatures quickly dropping below freezing and relative
humidity values remaining high…many area roads and bridges will not have an opportunity to dry off and subsequently have an opportunity to freeze overnight and into the early AM resulting in areas of black ice.
Areas along and north and west of the Interstate 85 corridor have the greatest risk of black ice forming. Counties and communities just to the south and east of Interstate 85 may see some patchy black ice.
Across far Northwest GA and the North GA mountains, as the cold front pushes in behind the storm system this evening, rain could change to light freezing rain, sleet or snow. Any accumulations are expected to be very light, however with temperatures falling into the 20s, some roads may become icy from winter precipitation or the refreezing of water on roadways previously mentioned.
Persons in these areas should remain alert, monitor the latest conditions and be prepared patchy black ice through the early AM.
*The Georgia Department of Transportation began brine treatment of interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses this afternoon in northern parts of the state in preparation of potential flash freezing due to precipitation this afternoon followed by cold air coming in quickly this evening.
Crews in Northwest Georgia will monitor conditions and continue treatment overnight on bridges and roadways throughout the night as needed. Motorists are advised to avoid unnecessary travel.
Please be aware of the brine trucks in your areas given they must travel 40 mph to properly apply the treatment. Pay attention to Georgia DOT trucks spreading materials and stay back a safe distance.