Honestly, if you've lived in Atlanta for more than five minutes, you know the drill. The mere mention of the "S-word" sends half the city to Kroger for milk and bread, while the other half scoffs and pulls out their shorts. It's a classic Georgia standoff.
But right now, things are looking a bit different. As of Thursday night, January 15, 2026, we’re sitting in the middle of a legit arctic blast. It's 28°F outside, but with that west wind, it feels like 23°F. You’ve probably already felt that bite if you stepped out tonight.
The question on everyone's mind is simple: Is it actually going to snow?
Atlanta snow next week: The setup we're watching
Basically, we have two different weather systems duking it out over the next few days. Meteorologists like Brian Monahan from Severe Weather Team 2 are pointing to a "supply and demand" problem. We have the supply—a fresh blast of arctic air—and we have the demand—moisture creeping up from the Gulf.
When those two meet over the Perimeter, things get interesting.
The first system is rolling in Friday night into Saturday. Most of the data suggests this will start as rain because, frankly, it’s going to be too "warm" during the day on Friday with a high of 51°F. But as that sun goes down and the temperature crashes back toward 26°F, that rain could get messy.
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If you’re up in the mountains, you’re looking at a much higher chance of seeing those white flakes. For the rest of us in metro Atlanta, the National Weather Service is playing it close to the vest. They’re calling it "very low confidence" for a major event, but they aren't ruling out flurries, especially on the south side of town Saturday night.
Why the Sunday forecast is the real wildcard
Sunday, January 18, is when the "will they, won't they" drama really peaks.
We’re looking at a high of only 38°F. That is cold. If that Gulf moisture lingers and the cold air catches up, Saturday night into Sunday morning is the window to watch. Right now, there is a 10% chance of snow listed for Saturday night and another 10% for Sunday morning.
I know, 10% sounds like nothing. But in Atlanta? 10% is enough to make the DOT start brining the I-285 overpasses.
What most people get wrong is thinking that the "high" temperature matters most. It doesn't. It's the ground temperature and the timing of the moisture. If the clouds clear out and we just get a "sunny and cold" Sunday, we're fine. But if that low-pressure system develops off the coast like some models suggest, we might be looking at more than just a few stray flurries.
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The deep freeze heading into MLK Day
Whether we get an inch of snow or just a dusting of disappointment, it is going to stay freezing.
Monday, January 19 (M.L. King Day), looks sunny but the low is hitting a brutal 22°F. Tuesday is even colder, bottoming out at 21°F.
- Thursday (Tonight): Clear, low of 26°F.
- Friday Night: 65% chance of rain, transitioning as temperatures drop.
- Saturday: Cloudy, high of 51°F, but watch the overnight drop to 29°F.
- Sunday: 10% chance of snow, high of 38°F.
- Early Next Week: Bone-chillingly cold, clear skies, lows in the low 20s.
Governor Brian Kemp already declared a State of Emergency earlier this week to get ahead of the brining operations. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has been out since Sunday morning focusing on interstates and hospital access routes. They aren't playing around this time.
What you should actually do right now
Kinda sounds like a broken record, but preparation beats panic every time.
First off, check your pipes. These multi-day stretches of sub-freezing temperatures are exactly what cause bursts. If you’ve got pipes on exterior walls, let them drip. It’s cheaper than a plumber.
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Second, watch the Saturday night transition. If you have plans to be out late Saturday or early Sunday, keep an eye on the radar. Even if it doesn't "snow" in the traditional sense, any moisture left on the road is going to turn into black ice the second it hits 29°F.
Lastly, don't trust the viral "snow maps" you see on Facebook. Those models change every six hours. Stick to the NWS or local meteorologists who actually understand how the North Georgia terrain eats snow chances for breakfast.
The most likely scenario for Atlanta snow next week is a "near miss" for the metro with some pretty flurries, while the mountains and perhaps far South Georgia see the actual accumulation. But in this city, you always keep the salt and the scraper handy just in case.
Next Steps:
- Drip your faucets starting Friday night as the rain moves in and temperatures begin to plummet.
- Check your car's tire pressure; these 20-degree drops will trigger your sensor and leave you guessing on the side of the road.
- Download the local weather app of your choice to get the Saturday night "transition" alert in real-time.