Hazardous Conditions Expected: Winter Storm Fern Triggers Road Closures and Transit Cuts in Atlanta

Winter Storm Alert: State of Emergency Declared

Atlanta commuters are urged to avoid all non-essential travel today, Saturday, January 24, 2026, as Winter Storm Fern moves into North Georgia. Governor Brian Kemp has declared a statewide State of Emergency in anticipation of significant ice accumulation. A Winter Storm Warning and Ice Storm Warning are currently in effect, with forecasters predicting up to a half-inch of ice and freezing rain starting this afternoon. GDOT crews began brine operations overnight, but black ice is expected to make road conditions treacherous through the evening and into Sunday.

Major Arteries and Express Lane Closures

Due to the deteriorating weather conditions, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has announced the early closure of the regional Express Lane system to ensure motorist safety. Commuters should take note of the following shutdown schedule:

• I-75 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes: Closed as of 11:00 AM.
• I-75 South Metro Express Lanes: Closed as of 12:00 PM.
• I-85 Express Lanes: Closed as of 12:00 PM.

On the major interstates, including I-20 and I-285, maintenance crews are prioritizing bridge treatments. Expect heavy delays near the I-285/I-20 West Interchange in Cobb and Fulton counties, where ongoing construction activity combined with weather-related precautions has restricted lane capacity.

MARTA Implementing Inclement Weather Plan

Public transit riders will face significant disruptions today as MARTA shifts to its emergency service plan. Rail service is operating on a reduced schedule, with trains arriving every 20 minutes across all lines. To prevent tracks from icing over, out-of-service trains will run continuously throughout the day.

Bus service has been drastically limited to "lifeline" routes only. Only the following routes are operational today: 6, 8, 19, 40, 107, 110, 111, 123, 185, and 196. These routes provide essential access to major medical facilities. All other bus routes are suspended until further notice. Additionally, MARTA Mobility is honoring pre-booked medically necessary trips only.

Local Road Closures and Events

Beyond the weather, several local disruptions are affecting surface streets:

• Downtown: Forsyth Street remains closed between Marietta Street and Poplar Street until 2:00 AM for filming of "Tulsa King."
• Southside: E. Main Street between Lee Street and Princeton Avenue will see closures this morning for the Jerome Scales Southside 5M race.
• Hank Aaron Drive: Construction for the MARTA Rapid A-Line continues south of Ormond Street. Local traffic only is permitted, and on-street parking is strictly prohibited between Ormond and Haygood Avenue.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport remains open, but travelers should check with their airlines for de-icing delays. For real-time updates on road hazards, motorists are encouraged to call 511.