December 15, 2010 Black Ice

The December 15, 2010 ice event (also referred to as the Mid-December 2010 North/Central Georgia Ice Storm) was a significant early-winter wintry precipitation episode that brought freezing rain, sleet, and light snow to north and central Georgia on December 15, 2010, with the heaviest impacts occurring overnight December 14 into the morning of December 15. The storm produced 0.25-0.75 inches of ice accumulation across much of north Georgia (higher in the foothills and mountains), with lighter glaze (0.10-0.40 inches) in central Georgia and the north Atlanta metro fringe. Light snow/sleet accumulations (trace to 1-3 inches) occurred in higher elevations. The event occurred during a cold pattern and is remembered for its ice damage (power outages, tree damage) and travel hazards rather than heavy snow.

A low pressure system centered over northeast Texas spread mid-level moisture across Alabama and Georgia on Wednesday. Although the low-levels were initially dry across north and central Georgia, moisture and cooling from the evaporating precipitation allowed the low levels to become colder and more saturated. During the late morning hours and early afternoon, an area of rain, sleet and snow moved eastward across Alabama into western Georgia. Although light precipitation was noted on radar, some of the precipitation never reached the ground. A mid-level layer of clouds ahead of the precipitation also helped keep temperatures low during the day.

Meteorological Setup

A strong cold front pushed 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 as warm air aloft melted precip before it refroze on sub-freezing surfaces. Ice accretion rates were light to moderate (0.05–0.15 inches per hour in the core band) on December 14 evening into December 15 morning. The event was ice-dominant in lower north and central Georgia, with light snow/sleet more prevalent in the mountains/foothills due to colder temperatures.

Impacts

Moderate to heavy ice + cold caused significant disruptions in north and central Georgia:

Snowfall/Ice Amounts and Distribution

Ice accumulation peaked December 14 night into December 15 morning, with heaviest in north and north-central Georgia:

North Georgia Mountains/Foothills (e.g., Blairsville, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Jasper, Blue Ridge): 0.50-0.75 inches ice common; higher elevations (e.g., near Blood Mountain) up to 0.75-1.0 inch in spots.
Union, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Lumpkin, Dawson Counties: Widespread 0.40-0.70 inches ice; some isolated higher totals.
North Atlanta Metro / Suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming, Canton, Nelson, GA): 0.10–0.40 inches ice; Cobb/Cherokee/Forsyth counties: 0.20–0.50 inches common.
Central Georgia (e.g., Athens, Gainesville fringe, Macon): 0.10-0.30 inches ice; light sleet mix.
Snow/Sleet: Trace to 1–3 inches in higher elevations; mostly light sleet mix with ice.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: Trace to 0.10 inches (mostly sleet/ice mix); north metro/foothills: significantly more.

Liquid equivalent was low (~0.20–0.50 inches), but marginal temperatures caused significant glaze.

Temperature Records

The event occurred amid an early-season cold snap:

North Georgia Mountains/Foothills (e.g., Blairsville, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Jasper, Blue Ridge): Lows 20–28F; highs only in the 30s on December 15.
Atlanta Metro: Lows 22-26F; highs ~32-35F.
Broader: No all-time December lows set, but the cold was sufficient for prolonged glaze and icy roads; wind chills in the teens.

The cold preserved ice and caused persistent hazardous conditions.

Impacts

Transportation: Roads became extremely hazardous from ice glaze; major accidents and slowdowns on highways (e.g., I-75, I-85, GA 400); schools/businesses closed; travel advisories widespread.
Utilities and Infrastructure: Widespread power outages (tens of thousands affected in north Georgia from ice weight on lines/trees); tree damage; some prolonged outages (days).
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; north Georgia residents dealt with slick roads and outages; emergency services strained.

Notes of Interest

Rarity and Legacy: One of the more significant early-season ice events in north Georgia; less famous than 2014 Snowmageddon but notable for ice damage in lower areas.
Environmental Oddities: Moderate to heavy freezing rain accumulation; light sleet/snow mix in higher elevations; part of 2009–2010 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 1994 Ice Storm but smaller scale.

This was a disruptive ice event for north and central Georgia.