Stephen Levine
EF4
Here in the Dallas area, when a "winter storm watch" is called for our area, schools get cancelled the night before, Universities close, and many employers shut down their businesses.
For at least two days ahead of time, the NWS first had a "winter weather advisory" and later issued a "winter storm watch" that included areas just south of downtown Atlanta. Within one day of the event, the pink "warning" boxes extended up to Atlanta with the blue "advisory" line just to it's north. There was mention of up to 2" of snow possible.
Like Dallas, Atlanta does not have the ability to handle wintery weather there. Instead of Dallas, school officials chose to keep the schools open, businesses stayed open and once the event began, people freaked out and tried to drive home on impossibly icy roads.
Had officials acted with wisdom, they would have closed the schools. According to this evening's Weather Channel summary, by 3:30 a.m. the entire city of Atlanta was under a Winter Storm Warning. This would have given schools and businesses plenty of time to take corrective action, keep their kids and employees home and ride out the event at home.
Politicians there are blaming "not enough information from the forecasts" for their decision to keep things open. A solid look at the NWS maps leading up to the event prove otherwise.
Intrigued by this impending event as I was, I watched things unfold a few days in advance with the forecasts. When the pink line was bent from the LA and MS coast up into Georgia including near Atlanta a day in advance, I figured the NWS was expecting the off shore low to intensify as it moved east.
For at least two days ahead of time, the NWS first had a "winter weather advisory" and later issued a "winter storm watch" that included areas just south of downtown Atlanta. Within one day of the event, the pink "warning" boxes extended up to Atlanta with the blue "advisory" line just to it's north. There was mention of up to 2" of snow possible.
Like Dallas, Atlanta does not have the ability to handle wintery weather there. Instead of Dallas, school officials chose to keep the schools open, businesses stayed open and once the event began, people freaked out and tried to drive home on impossibly icy roads.
Had officials acted with wisdom, they would have closed the schools. According to this evening's Weather Channel summary, by 3:30 a.m. the entire city of Atlanta was under a Winter Storm Warning. This would have given schools and businesses plenty of time to take corrective action, keep their kids and employees home and ride out the event at home.
Politicians there are blaming "not enough information from the forecasts" for their decision to keep things open. A solid look at the NWS maps leading up to the event prove otherwise.
Intrigued by this impending event as I was, I watched things unfold a few days in advance with the forecasts. When the pink line was bent from the LA and MS coast up into Georgia including near Atlanta a day in advance, I figured the NWS was expecting the off shore low to intensify as it moved east.