Snow so close to Jacksonville

Snow falling within 200 miles of Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla – Although we will have freezing temperatures around Jacksonville this weekend, it won't snow. But snow is falling as close as 200 miles away. 

Nearly two dozen school districts in north Georgia have closed as snow continues to fall in the area where up to 2 inches are expected from Carrollton in west Georgia northeast to the mountains, with 3 to 4 inches at higher elevations.

A mix of rain and sleet has made an unusual dip down to the Gulf Coast with snow reaching south Texas. Mixed frozen precipitation and snow reached New Orleans to Birmingham Thursday night into Friday morning.

Meteorologist Thomas Winesett in the weather service's Jackson, Mississippi, office said heavy snow began falling about 4 a.m. Friday. About 1.5 inches of snow was reported at the Jackson-Evers International Airport.

About 200 miles into Georgia, light snow accumulations are possible as close as Columbus, Americus and Macon Friday night.  But snow will not have any chance of making it into Waycross or other southeastern parts of the Peach state.

IMAGES: Snow blankets South

If you make the drive looking for white powder, be careful driving. You will want to get to those areas before Friday evening and and stay off the roads Saturday morning. Any residual moisture on road surfaces could produce black ice, creating hazardous travel conditions.

The weather is also causing a travel nightmare for airports with hundreds of Atlanta flights canceled because of the snow.

Be sure to check FlightAware.com or check in with your airline before heading to the airport.


About the Author:

After covering the weather from every corner of Florida and doing marine research in the Gulf, Mark Collins settled in Jacksonville to forecast weather for The First Coast.