Winter storm: Melting snow refreezes, brings black ice to metro Atlanta roads

ATLANTA — 8 a.m. ET Jan. 8

: Roads that became wet from melting ice and snow across metro Atlanta on Saturday have frozen over, causing traffic problems in some areas.

says temperatures dropped back into the teens Sunday morning, making it the coldest weather the region has seen in two years. Temperatures are expected to warm only to the mid-30s by Sunday afternoon.

>> Complete coverage: WSBTV.com live weather blog

Those low temperatures come

that brought upward of 4 inches of snow in some areas, and ice to other parts of the region.

Georgia's

remains in effect until 11:59 a.m. Sunday.

>> On WSBTV.com: PHOTOS: 14 photos that make Georgia look like a winter wonderland

“Try to limit your time outdoors as much as possible tonight and early tomorrow morning," said Brian Monahan of WSBTV.com's Severe Weather Team 2. "Hypothermia or frostbite is a big concern if you’re not protected from the cold."

The Georgia Department of Transportation said drivers should watch for ice across the metro area as temperatures continue to drop. Nearly 40 ice-related accidents were reported in Cherokee County between Friday night and early Saturday evening. Deputies in Gilmer County told WSBTV.com that they believe ice was a contributing factor to a crash that killed one person late Saturday afternoon.

WSBTV.com’s Nicole Carr was with police in Holly Springs as they began to shut down roads because of icy conditions as melted snow and ice began to freeze again.

>> Get more weather coverage from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

One driver tried to get through the icy roadways but decided to heed police's advice.

"Won't do it again. Nope. Stay home. That's what I say," Glenda Nason said.

Meanwhile, trees fell, knocking out power to some metro Atlanta residents. Georgia Power crews worked for hours to restore service after a tree brought down lines in DeKalb County.

A tree fell on Druid Hills Road, and a car crashed into it. The driver walked away unharmed.

>> WSOCTV.com: Hour-by-hour snow forecast for the Carolinas

>> Atlanta Journal-Constitution photos: Snow, ice make for wintry weekend in metro Atlanta

The wintry weather also put a damper on air travelers' plans. On Saturday,

, according to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Delta Air Lines is expected to have a “generally normal day” for operations Sunday, according to a spokesman.

>> WSOCTV.com: Photos of children and pets enjoying the snow

Southwest Airlines resumed flights Saturday afternoon but recommended that travelers keep tabs on the status of their flights.

Airport staff handed out blankets and hundreds of amenity kits to travelers bedding down in the airport. Sleeping passengers were spread across the domestic terminal atrium, in chairs on the lower level and sprawled on the floor on the upper level.

Things appeared to be getting back to normal at the airport by Saturday evening.

– The Atlanta Journal-Constitution contributed to the article.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Ice on roads and cold temperatures will last through Saturday after snow fell in many parts of Georgia.

The precipitation cleared by 10 a.m., but it is still windy and very cold. Wind chills are in the single digits and teens.

Temperatures were in the low to mid-20s across north Georgia, with winds gusting 20 to 30 mph in some places at 11 a.m.

Gov. Nathan Deal cautioned Georgians Saturday to remain patient and off the roads while state agencies continued working to keep roadways safe, restore power and responded to winter storm damage needs.

A

remains in effect until 11:59 a.m. Sunday.

“I’m grateful for the cooperation of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMHSA), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies for their tireless efforts, coordination and cooperation with local authorities. As power begins to be restored and roadways continue to be treated, I urge Georgians to remain cautious, vigilant and patient,” Deal said in a statement Saturday.

of roads and interstates with brine and salt from Thursday through Saturday morning, Deal said.

Crews are currently out re-treating any current icing spots and will continue to retreat roadways as needed for those areas that remain frozen or refreeze. Deal said they would continue to monitor the situation and is responding to any and all trouble spots accordingly as those reports come in.

The multi-agency strike teams are out on the interstate system reporting road conditions, escorting GDOT road crews and responding to any accidents.

Interstates remained passable through the night, although there were numerous accidents across the affected area. No fatalities were reported until Saturday, when a

in a crash on Interstate 75.

GDOT will continue to spread salt and brine on all interstates throughout the area the day Saturday and into Saturday night. They will continue to work major state routes as well, Deal said.

The multi-agency traffic strike teams remain active, responding to accidents.

Georgia Forestry, The Department of Natural Resources and Department of Corrections chain saw crews have responded to numerous requirements to remove downed trees.

aid they restored more than 50,000 outages across the state a as a result of the weather system. Crews are actively restoring power to more than 5,500 customers at this time.

Approximately 97 people sought shelter in the 23 shelters, or

, opened by the Red Cross, DNR State Parks and the National Guard, Deal said.

Stay with WSBTV.com and watch Channel 2 Action News throughout the day for updated forecast models.

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