Remember when Georgia had some significant winter weather less than two weeks ago? Well, déjà vu.

On Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for all of Georgia. This authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center and mobilize any needed resources to address potential impacts. Georgia Department of Transportation the Georgia Department of Public Safety, and other agencies are instructed to provide essential personnel to the SOC.

The State of Emergency also prohibits price gouging, suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in response activities and temporarily increases weight, height, and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies.

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This comes shortly after the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for much of Georgia Tuesday and Wednesday which has since been upgraded to a winter storm warning for areas like Savannah, Valdosta, and Macon. The Athens and Atlanta areas are currently under winter weather and cold weather advisories. Augusta is just under a cold weather advisory.

The NWS probabilistic snow and ice forecasts are showing the heaviest concentration in the South. Up to 2 inches of snow is expected. Most of the South will see up to one-tenth of an inch of ice, but the most southern areas like Waycross and Valdosta may see up to one-quarter inch. As you travel further north, snow and ice forecasts shrink with much of north Georgia largely unaffected.

In a news release from Kemp’s office, it was confirmed that the GDOT began brining operations Sunday morning, focusing on pre-treating interstates, state routes, bridges, and overpasses across the state. Crews are prioritizing high-traffic routes and areas providing access to hospitals and urgent care centers. Residents are urged to avoid travel whenever possible. For those who have to, GDOT advises drivers to be careful and provide extra space for crews to safely continue treating and clearing roads.

Additionally, state offices in Atlanta, including the State Capitol and surrounding area, will be closed Tuesday as state employees who live in or commute to an office in the city limits work remotely. Agency officials have discretion to close offices outside of Atlanta and instruct employees to work remotely for the safety of their workers. That discretion extends into Wednesday and possibly into Thursday, depending on the weather.

“As we continue to coordinate with state and local officials throughout the state, I urge everyone to make their own preparations to ensure they and their families can remain safe over the coming days, especially if road conditions prevent travel,” Kemp said.

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is preparing for the extreme cold weather event by treating highways and bridges as counties brace for snow and ice expected to disrupt travel.

When temperatures drop, roads can ice over making driving conditions extremely dangerous.

That’s why the Georgia Department of Transportation spent Sunday protecting roadways by sending 31 bucket trucks out to brine interstates throughout Georgia, including I-95 in Glynn and Camden counties.

Each truck had about 5,000 gallons of brine.

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Crews began in the early morning hours Sunday and applied brine to more than 6,000 lane miles of interstate alone.

Through Sunday evening and into Monday crews will prioritize pre-treating interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses in all parts of the state with brine, prioritizing high-traffic routes and those that provide access to hospitals and urgent care centers.

The first shift of crews applied more than 800,000 gallons of brine statewide on Sunday during the day.

Crews changed shifts Sunday evening to continue brining efforts across the state overnight.

Crews will continue to pre-treat roads on Monday provided the road surface temperatures are favorable.

GDOT said brine solution works best when applied before snow and ice accumulate on roadways when temperatures are at 20 degrees Fahrenheit and above, and when conditions are dry.

Georgia DOT remains in close contact with the National Weather Service (NWS) and is receiving regular updates as the storm advances toward Georgia.

A number of factors continue to make this weather event unusual, including the sheer size and scope of this weather system, which is predicted to impact the entire state; the onset and duration of below-freezing temperatures which will arrive early Monday and continue through Thursday, lowering road surface temperatures; and the type and possible accumulation of wintry precipitation.

All of these are considerations being monitored and adjustments are being made accordingly as Georgia DOT implements its response.

Days of frigid temperatures, particularly bitterly cold overnight temperatures, will make it more difficult for Georgia DOT to keep roads clear due to below-freezing road surface temperatures and re-freezing overnight.

“As crews continue to pre-treat roads statewide, give our men and women of GDOT room to work safely for the incoming winter weather. We need time, patience and understanding as our dedicated crews work during this multi-day event,” said GDOT Commissioner, Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “This storm has a large footprint, and we will need time to clear roads once the storm arrives and passes.”

Drivers are urged to plan ahead and limit travel as much as possible beginning mid-day Tuesday.

With some level of snow accumulation currently predicted across north Georgia and throughout a large portion of central Georgia, including the metro Atlanta area, drivers can expect roadway conditions to deteriorate rapidly once precipitation begins to fall.

In spite of pre-treatment, atmospheric and road surface temperatures could cause freezing on the roads.

Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary or postpone until daylight when road conditions may be more visible.

If you must venture out during this time, please drive with extreme caution and give GDOT crews room and space on the roads to help ensure they can safely do their jobs.

Please be aware of the brine trucks and know they must travel 40 mph to properly apply the treatment. Drivers are also advised to stay back at least 100 feet from the rear of the truck and do not pass a Georgia DOT truck spreading salt or gravel, as gravel may kick up and damage vehicles that are following too closely.

Please pay attention and give crews room to work safely from all areas of their vehicle – behind the vehicle and in front of the vehicle.

Black ice warning

Even with the efforts of the crews, freezing temperatures can cause black ice, which is difficult to see.

The U.S. Forest Service suggests these tips in case you run into black ice on the road:

• Do NOT hit the brakes if you slip

• Bring your foot off the accelerator

• Remain calm and turn your steering wheel into the same direction the car is sliding in

• If you go off road try to steer into an empty field, a yard, or blanket of snow.

NEVER turn your wheel in the opposite direction, as this will cause you to spin out.

Also, if you have the option of switching to a lower gear this will allow you to have more control of your car.

Crews with the Georgia Department of Transportation are out pre-treating roads with brine around the clock, trying to stay ahead of the below freezing temperatures over the next few days and the potential road hazards that could bring.

What they’re saying:

“We’re using everything. That means every piece of equipment, every individual that we can get on the road to treat safely, and every material we have,” said Georgia Department of Transportation Spokesperson Natalie Dale.

What we know:

GDOT brine trucks started rolling out at 7 a.m. Sunday, and will likely keep rolling well into the week.

They’re working to keep all 6,000 miles worth of interstate lanes treated, as well as overpasses, bridges and state routes.

Extreme cold weather in Georgia poses challenges

Dig deeper:

Dale says they’re starting now, even before snow and ice are forecast, because of just how low the temperatures will be for the next few days.

“We’re dealing with temperatures that really stretch how effective brine can be. So we’re getting that brine treatment down now when we’re still above 20 degrees to get as much benefit from that as we can,” Dale said.

Dale says when the brine becomes no longer effective, they have other materials ready to go.

“Following with the salt, the rock and when we have icy spots we’ll be using the calcium chloride,” Dale said.

But, she acknowledged that despite their best efforts, the weather may still prove treacherous to drive in.

“That doesn’t mean we stop working throughout the scenario. It means, again, that we’re doing everything we can do,” Dale said.

During the last round of snow and ice on Jan. 9, crews from Middle and South Georgia were able to assist in North Georgia.

But now, with freezing temperatures across the entire state, they won’t have that luxury.

“We’re talking top to bottom winter weather impacts throughout the State of Georgia, and that is something we don’t experience all that often,” Dale said.

GDOT ready for snow, ice, winter storm

Despite the potential strain on their resources, Dale asserts GDOT is ready.

“We have what we need. We have the brine filled, we have salt filled, and we have the crews strategically placed throughout the state,” she said.

Dale says they also have contractors on standby as backup in case they’re needed.

What to do if you see GDOT trucks on the road 

What you can do:

Right now, GDOT is not advising drivers to stay off the roads.

But they are advising drivers to stay back at least a hundred feet from their trucks.

“Steer clear of our vehicles. We are less effective when we have to deal with cars. Certainly, the ones that are tailing or following too closely are impeding the work that our crews are doing because those dumps are loaded with rock and salt. If you are following too closely, it is highly likely you’ll be replacing your windshield,” Dale said.