National Weather Service predicted the ice and snow and DID warn Georgians, and metro Atlanta
It was the timing, stupid. And then there was just the stupid:
Monday, 4:53 a.m.: The National Weather Service in Atlanta issues a Winter Storm Watch, advising people to be prepared for around 0.5 to 2 inches of snow.
Tuesday, 3:39 a.m.: The National Weather Service in Atlanta upgrades the area to a Winter Storm Warning, predicting 1 to 2 inches of snow later in the day.
Tuesday, 12 p.m.–5 p.m.: About 2 inches of poorly timed snow falls across metro Atlanta, compacting into ice as temperatures dropped into the low 20s and teens throughout the evening, turning highways into skating rinks. People try to make it home from work early.
Tuesday, 1:45 p.m.: Fulton County schools suddenly announce via email they will close for the rest of the day, prompting many parents to head to the roads to pick their kids up. Gridlock hits critical mass, with traffic jams blocking progress every few hundred feet.
Progression of the bad traffic in Atlanta due to the snow | #GAwx #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/bMMMq8WnQU
--Kevin O (@a23kiki23) January 28, 2014
Tuesday, early afternoon: Local liveblogs begin to chronicle the descent into anarchy that was formerly known as the Atlanta-area highway system.
Tuesday evening: Still stuck on the highways, many schools give up and stop trying to bus students home. The slumber party to end all slumber parties begins.
Wednesday, 4:10 a.m.: Despite no additional snow or ice expected, the National Weather Service in Atlanta extends the Winter Storm Warning for the Atlanta area due to “major road impacts,” warning drivers that “travel will continue to be dangerous or impossible. Only travel in an emergency.”
But the Who Is To Blame Game is in full blown finger pointing mode, so you are still not off the Mass Media hysteria hook, guys.
= new reply since forum marked as read
ice is bad, m'kay
