UPDATE: Rockdale County has been removed from the list of Georgia counties under the Winter Storm Warning from the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.
A Rockdale County Public Schools spokesperson notes that indications for weather overnight into Thursday are for mostly rain in Rockdale but that officials are continuing to monitor the conditions. As of 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, RCPS was not on the list of metro Atlanta school systems closed for Thursday. This could be subject to change. Parents should prepare for a regular school schedule unless there is an announcement otherwise, advised the spokesperson.
According to the NWS, patchy black ice is possible in counties south of Interstate 20, including Rockdale, Newton, Henry, Morgan, and others, through Thursday morning as wet road surfaces combine with overnight temperatures in the low 30s, especially on overpasses and bridges. Some flurries or light snow showers are possible after midnight but no accumulations are expected.
Georgia Perimeter College will have a delayed opening at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College will have a delayed opening at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Emory University will have a delayed opening at 11 a.m. Thursday.
The New Depot Players peformance on Wednesday of "The Diviners" for family and friends was canceled due to weather concerns.
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(Feb. 25, 11:17 a.m.) Rockdale County government offices and the courthouse will be closed at noon due to predicted weather. The offices and courthouse will have a delayed opening of 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26.
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(Feb. 24, 9:31 p.m.) Rockdale County Public Schools is closed Wednesday due to uncertainty about weather conditions, according to a message by system spokesperson Cindy Ball. School is closed for all students and teachers. Eleven-month and 12-month employees should still report to work.
Ga. Piedmont Technical College campuses are closed Wednesday for students and staff. All activities are canceled. Other colleges including Ga. State, Ga. Tech, and UGA have also canceled classes and activities.
School systems around metro Atlanta are also closed Wednesday, including Newton, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Henry and Paulding counties and Atlanta, Decatur and Marietta.
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The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning in effect for Newton, Rockdale and surrounding counties from Wednesday through Thursday morning.
Rain changing to snow is possible with 2-4 inches from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 7 a.m. Thursday. Accumulations of snow along with freezing temperatures may result in slick roadways.
Locations: along and north of a line from Newnan to Covington to Athens.
Hazard types: snow possibly mixing with Rain at times.
Accumulations: 2 to 4 inches with up to 6 inches in the mountains of North and Northeast Georgia. Lower amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible on the south side of the Atlanta metro area and along the southern fringe of the warning area.
Timing: 10 am Wednesday through 10 am Thursday.
Impacts: accumulations of snow along with near or below freezing temperatures will result in slick roadways and make travel hazardous.
Visibilities: visibilities will be greatly reduced during some of the expected heavier snow rates during the afternoon and evening.
Temperatures: temperatures are expected to remain steady or fall through the day to near freezing as snowfall rates increase. Temperatures are expected to remain steady near or below freezing through the overnight hours into Thursday morning.
Recommended actions: A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring.
Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only Travel in an emergency. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Heavy, wet snow can break tree limbs and down power lines. Particularly in the area impacted by last weeks ice storm. Stay Indoors away from these hazards, and prepare for Power Outages By having flashlights and emergency supplies ready.
