Augusta, Georgia, January 26, 2026
The Central Savannah River Area is facing significant challenges due to widespread freezing rain. Dangerous travel conditions persist with ice accumulation leading to hazardous roads and the risk of power outages. Authorities urge residents to avoid non-essential travel as many school systems implement closures and delays. Emergency response efforts are underway to treat roadways and provide warming shelters for affected residents. The extreme cold following the storm is expected to exacerbate the hazardous conditions.
Augusta, Georgia
Widespread Freezing Rain Creates Treacherous Conditions and Disrupts Travel Across CSRA
The Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) has been grappling with a significant winter weather event, as widespread freezing rain has led to hazardous travel conditions and the threat of extensive power outages from Saturday evening, January 24, 2026, through Monday morning, January 26, 2026. The severe winter storm, which impacted a broad swath of the Southern and Eastern U.S., brought significant ice accumulations and extremely cold temperatures, making travel nearly impossible in many areas.
Current Conditions and Immediate Concerns
As of Monday morning, many roads, particularly bridges and overpasses, are slick and hazardous due to ice accumulation and patchy black ice. Ice accumulations are significant, with forecasts predicting between 0.10 and 0.50 inches, and locally higher amounts of 0.25 to 1 inch possible in some locations. This level of ice accumulation, combined with gusty winds ranging from 20 to 35 miles per hour, has increased the risk of widespread power outages and extensive damage to trees. Authorities have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, emphasizing that emergency assistance could be delayed due to the weather.
Affected Regions and Travel Disruptions
The Ice Storm Warning has been in effect for most of the northern CSRA, encompassing counties such as Richmond, Columbia, Aiken, Edgefield, McDuffie, Warren, Taliaferro, Wilkes, Lincoln, McCormick, and Saluda. Areas generally along and north of Interstate 20 (I-20), including the Augusta metro area and along and north of Highway 378, have experienced the most severe travel problems. Some roadways are impassable, depending on the amount of freezing rain that has accumulated. While regions to the south of I-20 also saw patchy black ice, the greatest impacts were concentrated in the northern counties.
In anticipation of the severe weather, numerous school systems announced closures or delays for Monday, January 26. McDuffie County School System closed, and Edgefield County School District operated on a two-hour delay. Lincoln County Schools implemented a “Learn from home day,” while Richmond County students prepared for an E-Learning day. McCormick County Schools also utilized an e-learning day. Paine College and the University of Georgia encouraged students to travel home ahead of the storm, with Aiken County also preparing for potential e-learning. These measures aimed to ensure the safety of students and staff and minimize travel during hazardous conditions.
Winter Weather Timeline and Outlook
The freezing rain began moving into the CSRA on Saturday evening, January 24, and continued through Sunday and into Monday morning. The period between 12 AM Sunday and 12 PM Monday was identified as the time for the greatest impacts in the region. Following the storm system, an extended period of extreme cold is anticipated, with very cold temperatures expected to linger into early next week. Wind chills are projected to drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and below, with single digits to teens expected on Monday morning. Monday night lows could plunge to 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of North and Central Georgia. This persistent cold will exacerbate hazardous conditions, preventing a rapid thaw of ice on roads and surfaces.
Community Response and Preparedness
The City of Augusta activated warming shelters for Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25, to provide refuge for residents during the extreme cold. Augusta Transit offered complimentary transportation to designated overnight warming shelters. Local and state officials repeatedly implored those in the northern half of Georgia to stay home through Monday morning. The Georgia Department of Transportation deployed 1,800 employees to work 12-hour shifts, continuously treating 18,000 miles of roadways with brine and salt mixtures. Despite these efforts, officials warned against a false sense of security, stressing that even if roads appear clear, black ice is highly probable overnight and into the morning due to refreezing. Federal emergency disaster declarations were approved on Saturday for several states affected by the historic winter storm, including Georgia and South Carolina, allowing access to assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What type of weather event affected the CSRA?
The CSRA was affected by a significant winter weather event, primarily widespread freezing rain.
When did the freezing rain event occur in the CSRA?
The freezing rain event primarily occurred from Saturday evening, January 24, 2026, through Monday morning, January 26, 2026.
Which areas were most impacted by the freezing rain?
Areas generally along and north of Interstate 20 (I-20), including the Augusta metro area and along and north of Highway 378, experienced the most severe travel problems.
What were the main hazards caused by the freezing rain?
The main hazards included significant ice accumulations, slick and hazardous roads (especially bridges and overpasses), patchy black ice, widespread power outages, and tree damage.
What measures were taken to ensure public safety?
The City of Augusta activated warming shelters, schools implemented closures or e-learning days, and officials urged residents to avoid non-essential travel. The Georgia Department of Transportation also deployed employees to treat roadways.
What is the weather outlook following the freezing rain?
An extended period of extreme cold is anticipated, with very cold temperatures expected to linger into early next week, and wind chills dropping to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and below, with single digits to teens expected on Monday morning.
Key Features of the CSRA Winter Weather Event
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Event | Widespread Freezing Rain, Ice Storm | State-level (Georgia, South Carolina), Regional (CSRA), Nationwide (Southern & Eastern U.S.) |
| Timeline | Saturday evening, January 24, 2026, through Monday morning, January 26, 2026 | Regional (CSRA) |
| Impacted Regions | Along and north of I-20, Augusta metro, north of Hwy 378, Richmond, Columbia, Aiken, Edgefield, McDuffie, Warren, Taliaferro, Wilkes, Lincoln, McCormick, Saluda Counties | Regional (CSRA), State-level (Georgia, South Carolina) |
| Ice Accumulation | 0.10-0.50 inches, locally up to 0.25-1 inch | Regional (CSRA) |
| Associated Hazards | Slick/hazardous roads, patchy black ice, widespread power outages, tree damage, gusty winds (20-35 mph), extreme cold (wind chills 20F and below) | Regional (CSRA), State-level (Georgia, South Carolina), Nationwide |
| Public Response | School closures/e-learning, warming shelters activated, travel advisories (avoid non-essential travel), GDOT road treatment, federal disaster declarations | Regional (CSRA), State-level (Georgia, South Carolina), Nationwide |
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