Ice on Trees and Power Lines in the First Five Days of Winter Storms: The Broken Tree Branch in Atlanta During the Deepest Snow Storm

A winter storm has left a blanket of snow, sleet and freezing rain in several states. One of the hardest-hit places was Atlanta, where more than 220 vehicles were stranded on the side of the road and spun out on Friday. The region’s biggest snowstorm in years has also canceled more than 900 flights at the city’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

If the ice on trees remains into Saturday, it’s especially important. Some of the ice on power lines is on trees, so if we have winds pick up tomorrow that could cause a power outage.

And ice is heavy, so depending on what falls on it, can break it, according to Andrew Dessler, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University.

“ Tree branches, you get enough ice on there, it’ll, the tree branch will collapse,” Dessler says. If it’s a power line or a fence, the tree branch will take it out.

The State of Emergency in Georgia, and a Game Changed Saturday for the Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks at the State Farm Arena

Georgia has a winter storm warning in place until Saturday morning, but state officials are urging people to stay home until Sunday. If you do need to get on the road, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry says stay on roadways that are plowed and clear.

“Where it’s slushy, remember to slow down,” McMurry says. “Be very careful.” “Go very conservatively.” No hard braking, and no quick maneuvers of the steering wheel [be]cause it is slick.”

People needing shelter can contact the Department of Natural Resources. The parks in the North Georgia Mountains are near capacity according to the governor.

Little Rock and Southwest Arkansas were also thrashed by snow. More than 34,000 Arkansans have lost power after 15 inches of snow fell across southwest Arkansas. Little Rock saw nine inches .

Entergy Arkansas, the state’s largest electricity provider, says power should be restored by Saturday afternoon. That’s also close to when the state’s winter storm warning should end.

Citing severe weather and hazardous conditions, the NBA postponed Saturday’s game between the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks, scheduled to take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The NBA said the decision was made because of the safety of the players, fans and staff. The date for the rescheduled game has not been announced.

Power Outages and Travel Issues in the Carolinas During a Big Winter Storm, NBCS-Newton told WFAE

The Charlotte area is expected to get ice and snow by Saturday afternoon, but temperatures are predicted to plunge again Saturday night, according to the NWS. “So anything that melts on Saturday will refreeze,” Palmer told NPR member station WFAE.

More than 34,000 power failures are still being reported in Georgia. State officials are urging people to stay home until Sunday.

According to the National Weather Service, the significant winter storm wrapped up Saturday, with winter storm advisories lifting throughout southern counties. But travel issues and power outages persist across Southern states.