January 15-16, 2022 Winter Storm

The January 15–16, 2022 North Georgia Winter Storm (often called the January 2022 North Georgia Snow/Ice Event or part of the broader Southeastern U.S. winter storm) was a moderate wintry precipitation event that brought a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain to north Georgia, with the heaviest impacts occurring overnight January 15 into early January 16, 2022. The storm produced light to moderate snow accumulations (2–6 inches) in the north Georgia mountains and foothills, with trace to 2–4 inches in the north Atlanta metro fringe and lower elevations, plus 0.10–0.30 inches of ice glaze in many areas. It occurred during a cold pattern and is remembered for its ice threat in lower areas, travel disruptions, and school/business closures rather than extreme snow totals. For north Georgia (including areas like Nelson, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Blairsville, and the north suburbs), it was a typical mid-winter event with scenic snow in higher elevations but hazardous ice in lower areas.

Meteorological Setup

A strong cold front pushed deep Arctic air into the Southeast, with surface temperatures dropping into the 20s°F across north Georgia. A surface low developed over the Gulf of Mexico and tracked northeastward, drawing Gulf moisture over the cold dome in a classic overrunning pattern. The low intensified off the Southeast coast, producing prolonged freezing rain, sleet, and snow as warm air aloft melted precip before it refroze on sub-freezing surfaces. Ice accretion rates were light to moderate (0.05–0.10 inches per hour in the core band) on January 15 evening into January 16 morning. The event was wintry mix-dominant in lower north Georgia, with snow more prevalent in the mountains/foothills due to colder temperatures.

Impacts

Wintry mix + cold caused notable disruptions in north Georgia:

Snowfall Amounts and Distribution

Precipitation fell primarily on January 15 (some lingering into January 16), with snow heaviest in higher elevations and ice more prominent in lower areas:

North Georgia Mountains/Foothills (e.g., Blairsville, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Jasper, Blue Ridge): 3-6 inches snow common; higher elevations (e.g., near Blood Mountain) up to 6-8 inches in spots.
Union, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Lumpkin, White Counties: Widespread 3-5 inches snow; some isolated higher totals.
Dawson, Forsyth, Cherokee, Hall Counties: 2-4 inches snow
North Atlanta Metro / Suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming, Canton, Nelson, GA): Trace to 1-3 inches snow/sleet mix; Cobb/Cherokee/Forsyth counties: 1-3 inches common.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: Trace to 0.5 inches (mostly sleet mix).
Ice Accumulations: 0.10–0.30 inches glaze in lower north Georgia; higher in some foothills (0.25–0.50 inches).

Liquid equivalent was low (~0.15–0.40 inches), but marginal temperatures caused ice to be the bigger hazard in lower areas.

Temperature Records

The event occurred amid a cold pattern:

North Georgia: Lows 20–28F; highs only in the 30sF on January 15–16.
Atlanta Metro: Lows 22-26F; highs ~32-35F.
Broader: No all-time January lows set, but the cold was sufficient for prolonged glaze and icy roads; wind chills in the teens.

The cold preserved snow in higher elevations but caused rapid icing on roads in lower areas.

Impacts

Light snow/sleet + extreme cold added to ongoing winter disruptions in north Georgia:

Transportation: Hazardous roads from ice glaze/snow; accidents and slowdowns on highways (e.g., GA 400, I-575); schools/businesses closed or delayed; travel advisories widespread.
Utilities and Infrastructure: Power outages from ice weight on lines/trees (thousands affected in north Georgia); tree damage.
Human Toll: No major fatalities directly tied in north Georgia reports, but accident/exposure risks elevated.
Economic: Commerce/agriculture disrupted; property damage from fallen trees/lines.
Other Disruptions: Daily life halted briefly; north Georgia residents dealt with slick roads and outages; emergency services strained.

Notes of Interest

Rarity and Legacy: A typical mid-winter wintry mix event for north Georgia; less famous than 2014 Snowmageddon or 1989 Christmas but notable for ice impacts in lower areas.
Environmental Oddities: Moderate ice accumulation in foothills; light snow in higher elevations; part of 2021–2022 winter pattern.
Cultural Impact: Added to the "icy winter" lore; photos of glazed trees/power lines circulated.
Comparison to Recent Events: More ice-focused than 1989 Christmas (heavy snow) or 2014 Snowmageddon (snow + black ice); similar to 2015 February ice storm but smaller scale.

This was a disruptive wintry mix event for north Georgia.