Snow in Atlanta: Roads remain treacherous, but kids have a ball

Roads in Atlanta remain treacherous and the city is basically crippled, but kids don’t care as they have a ball in the aftermath of our rare southern snowstorm. In North Atlanta, 6-8” of snow fell overnight and a freezing rain is now adding insult to injury, causing the snow and streets to remain very slick. All major metro Atlanta schools are closed today, and may be so tomorrow, too.

So, what do kids in Atlanta think of the recent snowstorm? Here’s what a few had to say who gathered in Johns Creek for a game of snowy football:

• Steffan Becker: “It’s crazy and awesome for all of us.”
• Cole Matthews: “I used to live in New York, so I’ve seen more snow. But this is really fun.”
• Patrick Dries: “It’s the best thing is Georgia history.”
• Casey Pile: “It’s the most snow I’ve ever seen!”
• Scott Perry: “It’s really fun because there is so much snow.”
• Michael Kass: “It’s like playing at Lambeau Field!”

With a second snow day a strong possibility, kids in Atlanta may enjoy even more snow play tomorrow. Carroll, Floyd, Forsyth and Jasper Counties, plus the University of Georgia have already announced school closures for Tuesday.

More news about the snowstorm in Atlanta:

• UPS cancelled all package deliveries and pickups in metro Atlanta for Monday.
• Authorities in Rockdale County shut down I-20 in both directions. A spokeswoman for the City of Conyers issued the following statement just before noon: "The Conyers Police Department is working with the Department of Transportation and they have decided to shut down I-20 east and westbound between exits 80 and 82 in Conyers at this time. The interstate is expected to remain closed for at least one hour if not more due to icy conditions and multiple accidents."
• MARTA has cancelled all bus service for the day.
• AirTran has suspended all flights into and out of Atlanta.
• Cobb County Transit has cancelled all bus service.
• Most motorists appear to be heeding the warnings of public safety officials, as traffic on metro interstates is extremely light.
• There is now a thin layer of ice on top of the snow, causing treacherous road conditions. More freezing rain is expected throughout the day.
• Temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing until Friday.
• Airlines canceled 725 flights yesterday, 2,207 as of noon today and 327 and growing for Tuesday, according to flight tracking company FlightAware.
• Yesterday, Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency for the state of Georgia.
• Bridges and overpasses remain very slick due to on and off freezing rain.
• Georgia DOT advises all motorists to avoid all driving.
• In parts of the metro area, snow has turned to sleet and freezing rain. Up to a quarter-inch of ice accumulation is expected in some areas.

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