By Blogger Therapy Published: Monday, January 26, 2026 | 9:35 PM EST
Status: State of Emergency in effect through January 29.
As Winter Storm Fern transitions out of the Southeast, it has left behind a dangerous glaze of ice across North Georgia and the Atlanta metro area. While precipitation has largely ended, atlanta road conditions remain hazardous due to plummeting temperatures and the widespread threat of black ice.
🚦 Current Atlanta Road Conditions & Closures
GDOT and local emergency management agencies are strongly urging residents to stay off the roads as the region enters a “deep freeze.”
- The Refreeze Threat: Temperatures in Atlanta have dropped into the teens, with wind chills as low as 8°F. Any moisture left from Sunday’s freezing rain has solidified into invisible black ice.
- Major Arteries: GDOT crews are focusing on treating interstates (I-75, I-85, I-285) and GA 400. While some lanes are passable, authorities warn that bridges and overpasses remain the most dangerous spots.
- Secondary Roads: Untreated neighborhood streets and secondary roads, especially in Cherokee, North Fulton, and Gwinnett counties, are reported as “skating rink-like.”
- MARTA Impacts: Rail service is running on a reduced schedule (trains every 20 minutes). Bus service remains suspended except for ten “lifeline” routes (6, 8, 19, 40, 107, 110, 111, 123, 185, and 196) serving medical facilities.
❄️ Official Ice Totals: The Toll of “Fern”
The National Weather Service has released verified ice accretion totals for the region. North Georgia saw some of the highest accumulations in over a decade.
| Location | Ice Total (Inches) | Impact Level |
| Gainesville | 1.0″ | Extreme |
| Lake Lanier | 0.8″ | Extreme |
| Clayton | 0.75″ | Major |
| Toccoa | 0.6″ | Major |
| Cleveland / Sugar Hill | 0.5″ | Major |
| Acworth / Canton | 0.25″ | Dangerous |
| Roswell / Dunwoody | 0.2″ – 0.25″ | Hazardous |
Power Outage & Travel Disruptions
- Outages: At its peak, over 100,000 customers lost power across Georgia. Crews are currently working to restore service to roughly 37,000 remaining customers, primarily in the northeast mountains where ice-laden trees continue to snap.
- Airport (ATL): Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has seen over 1,100 flight cancellations since Sunday. Travelers are advised not to head to the airport without a confirmed flight.
- Schools: Most metro Atlanta school districts, including APS, Fulton, and DeKalb, are CLOSED or operating on remote learning for Tuesday, Jan. 27.
🧤 Safety Checklist for Tonight
With an Extreme Cold Advisory in effect, follow these precautions:
Black Ice Awareness: If a road looks “wet” but doesn’t splash, it is likely ice. Do not use cruise control.
Drip Faucets: Temperatures will stay below freezing until at least midday Tuesday. Prevent burst pipes by allowing a slow drip.
Four-Way Stop Rule: If you encounter a traffic light without power, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Generator Safety: Keep generators outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.