A split flow pattern was observed in the upper atmospheric pattern across the United States during this period. A large upper low was anchored across the northeast U.S. while another upper low was moving east from the south central U.S.  A large Canadian surface high extended from the Ohio Valley into New England.  A cold front and associated surface low was tracking across south Georgia.  Widespread light to moderate precipitation was observed across north Georgia during this period as the surface low tracked across south Georgia.  Although the cold air was not particularly deep into the southeast, it was deep enough for freezing and frozen precipitation to affect several north Georgia counties, especially for elevations above 2500 feet.
Snow and ice accumulations were highly variable from lower to high elevations, although quite significant at the higher elevations.  The most significant snow fell across the north central and northwest counties closest to the Tennessee border.  While most areas reported less than 2.0 inches of snow, parts of Fannin county received up to 8.0 inches of snow, especially in the McCaysville area.  A significant amount of sleet and ice also fell in the Burnt Mountain area of northeast Pickens county, leaving many residents in that area iced in and without power for several days.  Lower elevations and valley areas received mostly liquid precipitation and experienced little winter weather trouble.
The following is a summary of snow, sleet, and ice reports from north Georgia counties received from the 29th into the 30th.
Catoosa county received a total of 0.50 inch of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, most of which was snow.  Much of the precipitation melted as it fell.
Chatooga county received less than 0.10 inch of sleet and freezing rain.  Several accidents were reported across the county.
Dade county received up to 3.0 inches of snow across much of the county.  However, snowfall amounts of 4.0 to 4.5 inches were observed in the Lookout and Sand Mountain areas.  Many major roads were snow covered and hazardous.  The town of Trenton was virtually shut down with numerous traffic accidents.  In addition, ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.50 inch were observed on Lookout Mountain causing several trees or tree limbs to fall on power lines.  Some power outages were observed in this area.
Dawson county reported ice accumulations up to 1/3 inch at elevations just above 2000 feet, generally in the Big Canoe area.  Significant icing was observed on trees and other exposed objects in this area.  This icing extended into northeast Pickens county as well, where conditions were even worse.
Fannin county received 5.0 to 8.0 inches of snow.  The 8.0 inches of snow was observed in the far northern part of the county near McCaysville.  Snow reached warning criteria of 3.0 inches for this county around 300 pm EST.
Gilmer county received a light dusting of sleet and snow.
Gordon county received a light dusting of snow.
Murray county received a light accumulation of sleet.  Several accidents were reported.
Pickens county observed 1.0 inch or more of icing at elevations just above 2000 feet in the Big Canoe area.  Extensive icing was observed on trees and power lines in the area causing extended power outages to residents in this mountain community.  This area was inaccessible except by emergency vehicle for two to three days, leaving residents in the area without power for up to three days.  The icing extended into far northwest Dawson county as well.
Towns county received a light dusting of snow.
Union county received up to 4.0 inches of snow in the higher elevations.  This accumulation was observed as of 300 pm EST.  The snow changed over to rain during the evening and much of the snow subsequently melted.
Walker county received 1.5 inches of snow.
Whitfield county received snowfall ranging from 1.0 inch in the southern part of the county to 2.0 inches in the northern part.

Heavy Snow in DADE, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Dade County 911 Center reported that at least 3.0 inches of snow fell across much of the county.  Snowfall amounts of 4.0 to 4.5 inches were observed in the higher elevation areas of Lookout and Sand Mountain in the northeast part of the county.  Many of the major roads in the county were snow covered and hazardous.  The town of Trenton was virtually shut down with numerous traffic accidents.  In addition, ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.50 inch were observed on Lookout Mountain causing several trees or tree limbs to fall on power lines.  Power outages were observed in the area.

Ice Storm in DADE, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 21:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Dade County 911 Center reported that ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.50 inch were observed on Lookout Mountain causing several trees or tree limbs to fall on power lines.  Power outages were observed in the area.

Ice Storm in DAWSON, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 21:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported significant icing in the Big Canoe area of far northwest Dawson county, mainly at elevations just above 2000 feet.  Up to 0.33 inch of ice was observed on trees, power lines, and even some road surfaces in the area.  The icing extended into northeast Pickens county, where conditions were even worse.

Heavy Snow in FANNIN, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Fannin County 911 Center reported anywhere from 5.0 inches of snow in the lower elevations of the county near Blue Ridge up to 8.0 inches of snow in the far northern part of the county near McCaysville and the Tennessee border.

Winter Weather in GILMER, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Gilmer County 911 Center reported a light dusting of sleet and snow, mainly in the higher elevations of the northern part of the county.

Winter Weather in GORDON, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Gordon County 911 Center reported a light dusting of snow, mainly at the higher elevations in the northern part of the county.

Winter Weather in CATOOSA, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Catoosa County 911 Center reported up to 0.50 inch of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the county, most of which was snow.  Much of the precipitation melt as it fell.

Winter Weather in CHATTOOGA, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Chattooga County 911 Center and the public reported freezing rain accumulations up to 0.10 inch in the northern part of the county, north of Summerville.

Winter Weather in MURRAY, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Murray County 911 Center reported a light accumulation of sleet and some snow.  Several traffic accidents were reported as a light coating of ice was observed on roads.

Winter Weather in TOWNS, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 15:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Towns County 911 Center reported a light dusting of snow.

Ice Storm in PICKENS, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 21:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

FOX 5 Television of Atlanta reported that the Big Canoe area and the Burnt Hickory mountain area of northeast Pickens county, an area largely with elevations above 2000 feet, experienced significant accumulations of freezing rain.  Ice accumulations of 1.0 inch or more were observed in these areas, mostly above 2000 feet elevation.  Extensive icing was observed on trees and power lines in the area causing extended power outages to residents in this mountain community.  The area was largely inaccessible for the better part of three days except by emergency vehicles.  Many residents in the area were left without power for up to three days.  The icing extended into far northwest Dawson county as well.

Heavy Snow in UNION, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Union County 911 Center reported that snowfall up to 4.0 inches was observed at the higher elevations in the county, especially the northwestern and western areas.  Considerably less snowfall was observed in the eastern part of the county and at the lower elevations.  The snow changed over to rain during the evening and much of the snow subsequently melted.

Winter Weather in WALKER, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Walker County 911 Center reported up to 1.5 inches of snow across much of the county, especially the northern areas.

Heavy Snow in WHITFIELD, GEORGIA
From 29-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 30-JAN-10 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Whitfield County 911 Center reported snowfall ranging from 1.0 inch in the southern part to 2.0 inches in the northern part, just barely meeting the heavy snow criteria for this county.