Wsbtv Weather News Reports

sleet storms create headaches in South

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Reuters) - Severe winter storm warnings were posted by the National Weather Service for Sunday and Monday for states across the South from Texas and Arkansas in the west to Georgia and the Carolinas in the east.

The National Weather Service also warned of a winter ice storm in Alabama, while the Weather Channel's website said: "Snow, sleet, ice and rain target the Southeast."

The sleet was just beginning in Birmingham, Alabama, late on Sunday afternoon, but Alabama Governor Bob Riley had already declared a state of emergency.

In a written statement, Riley urged motorists to stay off roads because of "accumulations of ice that are projected to begin tonight."

Alabama's Department of Transportation had dump trucks at the ready to spread sand or salt on roadways and Department of Public Safety officers were working 12-hour shifts to assist motorists who insisted on traveling.

The state's Emergency Management Agency had activated its Emergency Operations Center, and the Alabama National Guard had 7,000 troops on drill duty.

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department issued warnings of sleet, snow and ice for numerous highways and roads in the state on Sunday, and told drivers to exercise caution.

Birmingham, Atlanta, Dallas, and Shreveport, Louisiana were among cities the Weather Channel said on its website were in the potential "snow or wintry mix zone" that could see sleet or freezing rain mixing with snowfalls.

North Carolina's Department of Transportation warned of severe winter weather hitting the eastern part of the state starting on Monday, with accumulating snow changing to freezing rain, advising motorists "to be alert and exercise extreme caution on all roadways," driving only if absolutely necessary.

In Atlanta, ABC affiliate WSB-TV reported that Georgia Power officials had put employees on standby to prepare for power outages and various airlines including Delta and AirTran had said there could be possible flight delays and cancellations.

In Shreveport, power company SWEPCO warned customers to be prepared for possible outages.

"Snow, especially wet heavy snow, can cause problems for the electric system because its weight brings down trees and power lines," Malcolm Smoak, Southwestern Electric Power Company vice president, said in a statement.

"In addition, with continuing low temperatures, the snow can be a problem for several days."

Historic Snow Fall Totals In For North Georgia

ATLANTA -- The official numbers are in from what turned out to be a very White Christmas for many across north Georgia.

With the first measurable snow in Atlanta on Christmas since 1882, the official snow total for the day was 1.3 inches.

Everyone north of Macon got a dusting of snow.

Parts of the metro area saw as much as 3 inches.

North of Atlanta, the mountains had frequent reports of 6 inches or more. The winner for the most snow reported was in Fannin County; McCaysville had reports of 10 inches of snowfall.