As snow blankets Columbus, Gov. Deal declares state of emergency

Big, chunky snowflakes began drifting into Columbus Tuesday night, and, as of about 6 a.m. Wednesday morning, have frosted the city over in a layer of icy white.

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal issued a state of emergency for 83 counties in a line that extends from Columbus all the way over to Augusta and then north to the state border.

“The accumulated snowfall and freezing rain totals could potentially reach more than an inch across the impacted areas,” Deal wrote. “Furthermore, temperatures over the next 48 hours may allow for melting and refreezing of accumulated snow and freezing rain, producing additional ice-related hazards.”

Deal activated state resources to assist counties with preparation, response and recovery for any issues they may encounter during the winter weather.

Columbus and much of the Valley area is under a winter weather advisory until 4 p.m. Wednesday. There’s a 90 percent chance of continued snowfall until about 9 a.m., when most of it is expected to move along, according to the National Weather Service. Total snow is expected to be less than one inch.

Winds could be gusty, with some bursts as high as 25 miles per hour. That means potentially dangerous wind chills that could drop the temperature even more- so make sure you bundle up and protect exposed skin.

It may get above freezing, briefly, but will drop into the low 20s again Wednesday night. Daytime temperatures for the rest of the week should be the 40s and 50s, the National Weather Service predicts.

Auburn/Opelika could see a little bit more snow, around an inch or more, according to the NWS, and is under a hard freeze warning until Thursday morning, as temperatures aren’t expected to rise even into the 30s until Thursday afternoon.

Area schools have largely closed for the day. See a full list of closings here.

Columbus government services will be closed for the day, and two recorders court sessions have been canceled. Metra bus service and garbage service has also been canceled.

Officials have discouraged driving and travel if at all possible.

“If you must travel, please exercise extreme caution. Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination,” the NWS wrote, calling roads “extremely slick and hazardous.”

This story was originally published January 17, 2018 at 6:33 AM with the headline "As snow blankets Columbus, Gov. Deal declares state of emergency."