UPDATE: Deep freeze on the way as snow showers continue; list of Chattanooga area closings and delays

Reports of snow and slick roads in Franklin County and on Monteagle Mountain

Snow falls in Monteagle.
Snow falls in Monteagle.

Here's a list of school closings/delays courtesy of our news partner WRCB (updated 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018):

TENNESSEE

  • Abba's House Academy: closed Wednesday
  • Athens City Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Baylor School: closed Wednesday
  • Belvoir Christian Academy: closed Wednesday; no child care
  • Berean Academy and Daycare: closed Wednesday; no child care
  • Bledsoe County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Bowman Hills School: closed Wednesday
  • Boyd Buchanan: closed Wednesday
  • Bradley County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Bright School: closed Wednesday
  • Bryan College: opening at 11 a.m. Wednesday
  • Calvary Christian-Brainerd: closed Wednesday
  • Candies Creek Academy: closed Wednesday
  • Chattanooga Charter: closed Wednesday
  • Chattanooga Christian: closed Wednesday
  • Chattanooga College EG: closed Wednesday
  • Chattanooga College NG: closed Wednesday
  • Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy: closed Wednesday; no PM activities
  • Chattanooga State: closed Wednesday
  • Christ Legacy Academy: closed Wednesday
  • Cleveland Christian School: closed Wednesday
  • Cleveland City Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Cleveland State-all sites: closed Wednesday
  • Collegedale Academy-all: closed Wednesday
  • Cumberland County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Dayton City School: closed Wednesday
  • Etowah City School: closed Wednesday
  • Fairview Christian Academy: closed Wednesday
  • Girls Preparatory School: closed Wednesday
  • Grace Baptist Academy: closed Wednesday
  • Grundy County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Hamilton County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Hickory Valley Christian: closed Wednesday
  • Lee University: opening at 12 p.m. Wednesday
  • Marion County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • McCallie School: closed Wednesday
  • Meigs County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Mission Preschool: closed Wednesday
  • Notre Dame: closed Wednesday
  • OLPH: closed Wednesday
  • Ooltewah Adventist School: closed Wednesday
  • Orange Grove Center: closed Wednesday
  • Pentecostal Theological Seminary: opening at 1 p.m. Wednesday
  • Polk County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Rhea County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Richard Hardy School: closed Wednesday
  • Redemption Kids School of Ministry: closed Wednesday
  • Sequatchie County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Signal Mountain Christian: closed Wednesday
  • Silverdale Baptist Academy: closed Wednesday
  • Skyuka Hall: closed Wednesday
  • St. Augustine LC: closed Wednesday
  • St. Jude Catholic School: closed Wednesday; no child care
  • St. Peter's Episcopal School: closed Wednesday
  • Sweetwater City Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University: closed Wednesday
  • UTC: closed Wednesday
  • Valley Christian Academy: closed Wednesday
  • Van Buren County Schools: closed Wednesday

GEORGIA

  • Catoosa County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Chattooga County Schools: delayed two hours
  • Chickamauga City Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Christian Heritage-Dalton: closed Wednesday
  • Covenant College: evening classes canceled
  • Dade County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Dalton Public Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Dalton State College: closed Wednesday
  • Fannin County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Georgia Northwestern Technical College - all campuses: closed Wednesday
  • Learning Tree Elementary: closed Wednesday
  • Murray County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Oakwood Christian Academy: closed Wednesday
  • Union County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Walker County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Whitfield County Schools: closed Wednesday

ALABAMA

  • Cornerstone Christian: closed Wednesday
  • DeKalb County Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Fort Payne City Schools: closed Wednesday
  • Jackson County Schools: closed Wednesday

WEATHER-RELATED UPDATES:

-The Jackson Count Courthouse will be closed today due to the threat of inclement weather.

-Georgia Northwestern Technical College will be closing all campus locations at 12 p.m. on Tuesday due to inclement weather. All classes and activities after 12 p.m. will be canceled.

-The Recycle Collection Centers and Refuse Collection Centers will be closing today at 12 p.m. due to threat of inclement weather. Centers are expected to be open for regular business hours on Wednesday.

-Due to inclement weather and adverse road conditions, all VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System facility openings - except the Chattanooga clinic - are delayed by two hours today.

-The East Ridge City Court scheduled for today will be postponed until Thursday.

-Soddy-Daisy City Court has been canceled due to snow. If you do not receive a new court date by the end of the day, please call City Hall 423-332- 5323.

-The Ocoee Region Beekeepers January (Open House) Meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight in Benton, Tenn., has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23.

-All Catoosa County Government offices will be closing at 2 p.m. today, and they will also delay opening until 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

-Walker County Government offices will close at 2 p.m. Tuesday and delay reopening until 10 a.m. Wednesday. This includes the courthouse.

-City of Chattanooga offices will close at 2 p.m. today due to expected inclement weather. Youth and Family Development Centers will close at 3 p.m. today. The Employee Wellness Clinic will close at 2 p.m. and the Pharmacy will close at 2:30 p.m. Staff are calling all patients with scheduled appointments this afternoon to assist them with rescheduling. The Chattanooga City Council is still scheduled for this afternoon/evening as of 1 p.m.

-Lee University offices will close at 3 p.m. today and all classes that begin after 3 p.m. will be canceled.

-The Gilmer County Health Department closed today at 1 p.m. The North Georgia Health District offices in Dalton and Health Departments in Fannin, Murray and Whitfield Counties will close today at 3 p.m. and the Pickens County Health Department will close early at 5 p.m. All district offices and health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties will delay opening until 10 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 17. These closings and delays pertain to all the public health services, including Environmental Health, WIC and Child Medical Services. Please refer to www.nghd.org for further updates.

-Due to potential hazardous road conditions caused by the inclement weather, CARTA will start its fixed route bus services at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, and will operate on inclement weather detours.

-Bradley County Schools will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 17, due to snow and possible ice.

-Cleveland City Schools will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 17, due to extremely low temperatures, wind chills and potential ice issues on roads. Twelve month employees will work on a two hour delay.

-Chickamauga City Schools will be closed on Wednesday, Jan.17, due to inclement weather.

-One departure from Chattanooga to Atlanta and one arrival from Atlanta to Chattanooga have been canceled, according to a Chattanooga Airport spokesman.

-Whitfield County Schools will be closed for students and staff on Wednesday, Jan. 17, due to expected inclement weather.

-The Hamilton County Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 17, will be postponed one week until January 24 at 9:30 a.m.

-Hamilton County Schools will be closed Wednesday because of the snowfall in the area this afternoon and dangerous secondary roads reported across the community. Temperatures will continue to fall this evening freezing snow and ice on the roads and making for unsafe conditions to transport children to and from school. Before and after school child care will also be closed for tomorrow. There will be a second communication with central office employees about a possible late reporting time for tomorrow.

-All Northwest Georgia Regional Library branches (Dalton, Calhoun and Chatsworth) will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 17, in anticipation of inclement weather and poor morning road conditions.

-Because of the winter weather and the threat of icy driving conditions, McCallie School will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 17. All classes and afternoon activities are cancelled and offices are closed.

-Girls Preparatory School will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 17.

-Baylor School will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 17.

-Bradley County Sheriff Office's Administrative Offices will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 17, because of the inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions. Offices will reopen Thursday, Jan. 18, at 8 a.m.

-All Erlanger physician offices will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17.

-Because of the threat of icy road conditions, UTC will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 17. Classes are canceled and offices closed.

-City of Dalton offices will delay opening until 12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17.

-Gov. Nathan Deal tonight issued a state of emergency due to winter weather for 83 counties, spanning much of central and north Georgia. This line extends from Columbus to Macon to Augusta and northward. State government will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 17, in the impacted areas for non-essential personnel.

Snow timeline

BeginWest of Chattanooga: 7-10 a.m. CSTChattanooga: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ESTEast of Chattanooga: 1-4 p.m. ESTEndWest of Chattanooga: 2-4 p.m. CSTChattanooga: 11 a.m.-5-8 p.m. ESTEast of Chattanooga: 8-11 p.m. EST

photo Snow falls in Monteagle on January 16, 2018.

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UPDATE: Even though the winter weather system got here a little late, the mid-morning arrival of light snow across the Chattanooga region left a slowly accumulating layer of fine, icy snow on grass, vehicles and some untreated roads by noon.

Schools systems across the region had already called off Tuesday classes and so did many businesses and government offices. But many of those that hadn't shuttered their doors against freezing precipitation by Tuesday morning made the call by noon or early afternoon to go home.

Midday on Tuesday, WRCB Channel 3 meteorologists said temperatures would remain cold through the rest of the day today with highs only reaching the upper-20s and low-30s around noon and then falling as a cold front makes its way through, creating some snow showers this afternoon.

Accumulations for the rest of the day are estimated at inch to an inch in North Georgia and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Tennessee Valley and Southern Cumberland Plateau will get one to two inches, and a few areas could see three inches of snow, Channel 3 meteorologists predicted.

Chief Meteorologist Paul Barys said at 2:30 p.m. that snowfall should end by 7 p.m. in the city. The low tonight could reach as low as 12 degrees and the wind chill will make it feel much colder, Barys said.

The snowy weather didn't impact traffic around Chattanooga, possibly because so many schools systems were closed and people stayed home.

At 2:30 p.m., the Tennessee Department of Transportation's traffic cameras and maps showed no problems on the main arteries around the metropolitan Chattanooga area. Interstate 75 appears clear from Chattanooga all the way to Knoxville.

In Georgia, traffic maps show all lanes of I-75 are blocked on the southbound side where a truck has crashed near Carbondale. Otherwise, traffic on the interstate south of Chattanooga appear to be moving as usual.

Though it was late, the snow created excitement as it arrived.

Mid-morning Tuesday reports of snow were coming in from points west of Chattanooga in Franklin and Grundy County, and by noon light snow was being reported in Bledsoe, Marion and Grundy counties.

State roads remained in decent shape but secondary roads in the Chattanooga region's rural counties were getting dangerous, officials said.

Snow started falling in Hamilton County between 12:30 and 1 p.m., though amounts downtown were minimal.

By early afternoon, the W Road, Roberts Mill Road in Hamilton County and numerous roads around the region were becoming too slick for traffic, according to officials here.

Drivers headed for locations on Signal Mountain were being urged to allow extra travel time and use extreme caution.

Alabama officials also reported deteriorating conditions across the north end of the state and some areas by early afternoon were reportedly becoming impassable.

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UPDATE: The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office announced the closure of W Road and Roberts Mill Road due to the threat of inclement weather.

Motorists should expect both roads to be closed until conditions and temperatures improve.

All motorists attempting to reach the communities of Signal Mountain and Walden should allow extra travel time and use Signal Mountain Road until further notice.

Motorist may visit the HCSO Facebook page to see updates as to when the roads will be reopened.

Snow has begun to fall in earnest in the Sequatchie Valley, according to officials in Bledsoe, Marion and Sequatchie counties.

Bledsoe County Sheriff Jimmy Morris said snow is just arriving in the valley there and is beginning to impact secondary roads on the mountains west of Pikeville.

"It's just starting to stick on the roads in the valley," Morris said about 12 p.m. EDT.

"It's going to get bad, especially in the higher elevations," he warned.

Just to the south in Sequatchie County, Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock said most roads there are OK at the moment but he's not hopeful when temperatures begin to fall.

"I'm in the valley and it started snowing about 30 minutes ago," Hitchcock said around lunchtime.

In Marion County, the most southern of the Sequatchie Valley counties, EMA director Steve Lamb said snow was accumulating.

"It's snowing pretty good. It's just now starting to cover the ground now," EMA Steve Lamb said at 11:55 a.m. EDT.

"Secondary roads are going to get treacherous," he said. "We're advising people to get your business done and get home."

As the winter storm system moves toward the Chattanooga region from the west, Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller said about 11:20 a.m. EDT today that about an inch of snow was on the ground there now and secondary roads are becoming "treacherous."

"Most of the state roads are passable but they're getting worse," Fuller said. "They're also trying to get them salted.

"It's probably been snowing hard for a little over an hour at the most," the sheriff said.

East of Franklin County in Monteagle, atop the high point between Chattanooga and Nashville on Interstate 24, Police Chief Virgil McNeece said roads there are becoming covered with a dusting snow that appears to be becoming heavier by the minute.

"It's snowing to beat the band on the mountain right now," McNeece said about 11:15 a.m. EDT. "Traffic is moving really good. TDOT has the interstate salted. It's clear driving."

The police chief said snow started falling on Monteagle Mountain around 9 a.m. CDT or 10 a.m. EDT.

Hamilton County Highway Department employees have been out spreading brine this morning on Hamilton County roads and will continue to do so until snow arrives.

There are salt/sand trucks staged throughout Hamilton County waiting on the snow to start.

Highway crews will be working throughout the night as conditions warrant to keep roads passable and safe.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency spokesman Curtis Summerville said in a statement issued at 11:21 a.m. EDT that road conditions were deteriorating quickly in North Alabama.

"We are starting to experience some hazardous driving conditions throughout Limestone County," Summerville said. "We are working multiple car crashes throughout the county."

As elsewhere, Summerville was promoting careful driving or staying home.

"We are encouraging motorist to drive with caution or to remain off the roadways if possible," he said.

Up on the Cumberland Plateau, Grundy County Sheriff Clint Shrum said 11:41 a.m. EDT that back roads in the Altamont area are "terrible," but that most state roads for the time being are in decent shape.

"We started about 9:15 a.m. and it hasn't let up," Shrum said of the snow. "We're probably right at an inch right now. We just want people to stay home."

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ORIGINAL STORY: Chattanooga and surrounding areas are in for another freezing cold spell this week, forecasters say.

People across the Tennessee Valley can expect light snow this morning and afternoon or evening, depending on their location. Temperatures are expected to plummet into the low teens with a wind chill index in the single digits.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the entire region, and it's projecting anywhere from one to three inches of snow in most areas. For the Chattanooga metro area, though, WRCB Chief Meteorologist Paul Barys said he's predicting about an inch or less.

Snow will reach Chattanooga at around 11 a.m. today and stop between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., but temperatures will remain below freezing until Thursday, Barys said.

Six-day forecast for Chattanooga

Tuesday: 27 low/34 highWednesday: 13 low/27 highThursday: 13 low/39 highFriday: 22 low/48 highSaturday: 31 low/55 highSunday: 43 low/56 highSource: WRCB-TV News Channel 3

photo Steve Branam takes a look inside the salt trough at the city yard Monday before driving his truck to Hixson with 1,000 gallons of brine for Altamont and Hamill roads.

"This is not a high-impact snow storm," he said. "This is a high-impact snow/temperature storm."

Roads should be fine this morning, he said, but as the day goes on and temperatures don't warm up, the snow will continue to compress itself as cars drive over and become icy.

"The roads become very slick, and any hills are hazardous," Barys said. "It's almost impossible [to drive] up or down, four-wheel drive or not, because you're not getting stuck, you have no traction. If you have 20 wheels, it won't make any difference."

Hamilton County Highway Department road crews worked Monday afternoon to spread brine on main county arteries. And many school districts in the circulation area have announced they'll be closed Tuesday, in preparation for the colder-than-usual temperatures and potentially hazardous road conditions.

The Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency will open today at 6 a.m. to assist with any winter weather issues.

By the time Thursday comes around, the high temperature will creep slightly above freezing and melt most of the snow. But temperatures will dip again Thursday night. Friday's high will be around the upper 40s, and the weekend will bring pleasantly mild temperatures to some areas, with Sunday's high in the upper 50s, potentially near 60.

This week's arctic cold is 20-25 degrees below normal, Jeremy Buckles, National Weather Service meteorologist, said. In fact, this time last year showcased highs in the mid 60s to low 70s with little to no rain, he said.

"It's quite a contrast to what we had last year," Buckles said.

Staff writer Emmett Gienapp contributed to this story.

Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327 with tips or story ideas. Follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.

Here's a list of Tuesday school closings/delays courtesy of our news partner WRCB (updated 12:25 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018):

TENNESSEE

  • Abba's House Academy: closed Tuesday
  • Athens City Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Baylor School: closed Tuesday
  • Belvoir Christian Academy: closed Tuesday; no child care
  • Berean Academy and Daycare: closed Tuesday; no child care
  • Bledsoe County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Bowman Hills School: closed Tuesday
  • Boyd Buchanan: closed Tuesday
  • Bradley County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Brainerd Baptist School: closed Tuesday
  • Bright School: closed Tuesday
  • Calvary Christian-Brainerd: closed Tuesday
  • Candies Creek Academy: closed Tuesday
  • Chatt Girls Leadership Academy: closed Tuesday; no PM activities
  • Chattanooga Charter: closed Tuesday
  • Chattanooga Christian: closed Tuesday
  • Chattanooga College EG: closed Tuesday
  • Chattanooga College NG: closed Tuesday
  • Chattanooga State: closed Tuesday
  • Christ Legacy Academy: closed Tuesday
  • Cleveland Christian School: closed Tuesday
  • Cleveland City Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Cleveland State-all sites: closed Tuesday
  • Collegedale Academy-all: closed Tuesday
  • Cumberland County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Dayton City School: closed Tuesday
  • Etowah City School: closed Tuesday
  • Fairview Christian Academy: closed Tuesday
  • Grace Baptist Academy: closed Tuesday
  • Grundy County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Hamilton County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Hickory Valley Christian: closed Tuesday
  • Marion County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • McCallie School: closed Tuesday; no sporting events
  • McMinn County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Meigs County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Mission Preschool: closed Tuesday
  • Notre Dame: closed Tuesday
  • OLPH: closed Tuesday
  • Orange Grove Center: no bus service Tuesday/school program closed
  • Polk County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Redemption Kids School of Ministry: closed Tuesday
  • Rhea County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Richard Hardy School: closed Tuesday
  • Sequatchie County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Silverdale Baptist Academy: closed Tuesday
  • Skyuka Hall: closed Tuesday
  • Southern Adventist University: closed Tuesday
  • St Jude Catholic School: closed Tuesday; no child care
  • St. Augustine LC: closed Tuesday
  • St. Peter's Episcopal School: closed Tuesday
  • Standifer Gap SDA School: closed Tuesday
  • Sweetwater City Schools: closed Tuesday
  • UTC: closed Tuesday
  • Valley Christian Academy: closed Tuesday
  • Van Buren County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Veritas Classical School: closed Tuesday

GEORGIA

  • Catoosa County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Chickamauga City Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Dade County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Dalton Public Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Dalton State College: closed Tuesday
  • Genesis Career College Dalton: closed Tuesday
  • Learning Tree Elementary: closed Tuesday
  • Oakwood Christian Academy: closed Tuesday; no evening activities
  • Walker County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Whitfield County Schools: closed Tuesday

ALABAMA

  • Cornerstone Christian: closed Tuesday
  • Dekalb County Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Fort Payne City Schools: closed Tuesday
  • Jackson County Schools: closed Tuesday

Other Tuesday cancellations/closings:

"O, King: A Tribute to the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in UTC's Roland Hayes Concert Hall, has been postponed because of the threat of snow and icy conditions. It will be rescheduled and a press release will be sent out once a date is selected.

Hunter Museum of American Art will be closed Tuesday because of the threat of inclement weather.

All branches of the Northwest Georgia Regional Library system (Dalton, Calhoun, Chatsworth) will be closed Tuesday because of the expectation of inclement weather.

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