Don't let today's warmer temperatures fool you, because Chattanooga's winter wonderland isn't gone yet, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tenn.
Today's partly sunny, 43-degree weather will yield to more snow on Sunday and Monday, NWS meteorologist Craig Carpenter said. Lows in the mid-20s tonight could bring snow Sunday morning, which should turn into rain by the afternoon, he said.
Much of the leftover snow on the ground today in North Georgia should melt as temperatures reach the low 40s, said Steve Nelson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Ga. Sunday, residents should expect warmer temperatures of about 45 degrees, and a mixture of rain and snow into the evening, he said.
Monday will be mostly cloudy with highs in the mid-30s and a chance of snowfall, Mr. Carpenter said.
"It's probably going to be a little more rain (than Friday)," he said.
Friday's snowy, wet weather kept many inside and caused many area schools and local government offices to dismiss early. City of Chattanooga offices closed shortly after 2 p.m., spokesman Richard Beeland said.
Hamilton County Schools already had planned to dismiss early Friday and area schools are scheduled be closed Monday for Presidents Day. In North Georgia, schools officials in Dade, Walker and Whitfield counties announced plans Friday morning to dismiss schools early as snow began to move in to the area.
For University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students Meredith Cassaday and Amanda Mayo, Friday's weather presented the perfect opportunity to catch an afternoon movie at the Majestic 12. The two said the recent cold and snowy weather has made them look forward to spring.
"It's cool, but I'm ready for some warm weather," said Ms. Cassaday, 19, of Chattanooga. "Snow past Christmas just kind of gets on my nerves."
City and state road crews worked all day Friday and into the night to ensure safe passage for drivers. Chattanooga city workers sprayed roads with a salt-brine mixture to prevent accumulation, said Tony Boyd, assistant director of operations for citywide services.
TDOT crews also were out putting salt on the interstate and state highways, said spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn.
"They are paying special attention to overpasses and mountain roads, such as those on Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain," Ms. Flynn said.
LOCAL WEATHERStay on top of the area's winter weather by visiting www.timesfreepress.com/weatherforecast.Chattanooga snowfall* Dec. 1 to Friday: 6 inches* 30-yr. average: 3.3 inchesTemperatureAvg. Hi Avg. Lo* February 43.2 31.0* Normal 53 32* Last year 66 39Source: National Weather ServiceSTATES WITH SNOWThroughout the U.S. on Friday 49 of the 50 states had snow on the ground. The lone snow-free state was Hawaii, which usually gets snowfall on its two tallest volcanoes during the winter.Source: The Associated Press.
Roads in Whitfield County were fairly clear Friday, according to Jeffrey Putnam, emergency services director for the county. Mr. Putnam said there were some icy areas in the northern communities of Tunnel Hill and Rocky Face.
Dispatchers in Chattanooga and North Georgia said weather-related accidents were minimal as of Friday evening and there were no reports of damage in any of the areas.
EPB spokesman Lacie Newton said there were no power outages from Friday's snow. EPB workers on Sunday will be on the lookout for any indication of wind, ice or freezing precipitation, she said.
"That's when we'll see any outages," Ms. Newton said.
The Salvation Army opened its emergency shelter for women only at 6 p.m. Friday. The day center remains open and calls for aid in heating homes are on the increase.
"We are in need of heaters in our Social Services office," said spokeswoman Kimberly George. "We are out and folks are needing supplemental heat."
Staff writers Adam Crisp and Kelly Jackson contributed to this story.
