Winter of 2014-2015 in north Georgia (December 2014–February 2015)
The Winter of 2014-2015 in north and central Georgia (December 2014–February 2015) was one of the coldest and most disruptive winters in recent decades for the region, characterized by multiple Arctic outbreaks, prolonged below-normal temperatures, and several notable winter storms—primarily ice-focused rather than heavy snow. North Georgia (mountains, foothills, and northern Atlanta suburbs) and central Georgia (including areas like Athens, Gainesville, and Macon) saw frequent wintry precipitation, significant ice accumulations, and widespread power outages, with the season remembered for its repeated ice events and extreme cold snaps.
Key Winter Storms and Events
- December 2014: Early cold snaps with light snow/flurries in north Georgia; no major events.
- January 2015: Multiple cold waves; light snow/sleet in north Georgia (trace to 2–4 inches in mountains/foothills); ice threats in lower areas.
- February 15–17, 2015 Ice Storm: Heavy freezing rain (0.25–0.75 inches ice in north Georgia foothills/mountains; 0.10–0.40 inches in metro fringe/central GA); widespread tree damage and power outages (tens of thousands affected); roads hazardous for days.
- February 25–26, 2015 Snow Event: Moderate to heavy snow (6–12+ inches in north GA mountains; 4–8 inches in foothills; 2–6 inches in north metro); one of the heavier single-event snows of the decade in the region.
- Other: Persistent cold throughout January–February; multiple minor wintry mix events.
Snowfall and Ice Totals
- North Georgia Mountains/Foothills (Blairsville, Dahlonega, Ellijay, etc.): Seasonal snow 8-15+ inches; February 25 event: 6-12+ inches; ice 0.50-1.0 inch in spots.
- Lower North Georgia / North Atlanta Metro (Nelson, Cumming, Roswell, Marietta): Seasonal snow 4-10 inches; February 25: 4-8 inches; ice 0.25-0.50 inches.
- Central Georgia (Athens, Gainesville fringe, Macon): Light snow (trace to 3 inches); ice 0.10-0.40 inches.
- Liquid equivalent per event: Low to moderate (~0.2–0.6 inches); high snow ratios (12:1 to 18:1) in cold air.
Temperature Records
The winter was among the coldest in decades for north Georgia:
- January–February 2015 were among the coldest in decades.
- North Georgia: Multiple single-digit lows; highs often in 20s–30s°F during storms.
- Atlanta metro: Lows teens to 20s°F; highs 30s°F during events.
- Wind chills frequently in the single digits to teens.
Notes of Interest
- Rarity and Legacy: One of the coldest and most active winters of the 2010s for north/central Georgia; February 25 snow event stands out for accumulation, while February 15–17 ice storm was the most damaging.
- Cultural Impact: Remembered for repeated disruptions, power outages, and "icy" winter scenes.
- Comparisons: Less snowy than 2013-2014 (Snowmageddon) but more ice-heavy; colder than average winters but not as extreme as 1985 or 1977.
This winter delivered a punishing mix of cold, snow, and ice to north and central Georgia.
Winter of 2014-2015 Temperature Anomalies
