For Immediate Release
January 23, 2026
Contact:
Office of Communications
(678) 920-0857
Hartsfield-Jackson Preps for Winter Weather
Airport ready for anticipated wintry mix
ATLANTA – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is actively preparing for this weekend’s expected winter weather event. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a wintry mix of rain, sleet, and freezing rain is possible between Saturday afternoon, Jan. 24 through Monday morning, Jan. 26. ATL officials began coordinated winter weather calls on Jan. 21, and the Airport’s Emergency Operations Center will be activated starting Friday, Jan. 23 and will remain open until normal operations have resumed.
ATL is ensuring all facilities are prepared to minimize impacts, including fueling operations, snow removal and deicing equipment, a staffing plan with 12-hour shifts, and facilitating deicing requests from airlines. ATL’s Department of Emergency Management held an in-depth simulated winter weather preparedness exercise on Dec. 10, 2025. This annual exercise included participants from various Airport divisions and partnering outside agencies, including the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and NWS. ATL has also acquired 5 multi-function equipment (MTE) Vehicles. These vehicles significantly reduce the time it takes to clear runways and taxiways and allow for quicker resumption of aircraft operations during cleaning operations.
“We are fully prepared for the winter weather expected this weekend,” said Ricky Smith, General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
“Our operations, maintenance, emergency management teams, airline partners, and federal agencies are coordinated, with equipment staged and staffing plans in place to support safe and reliable operations. Our focus is protecting the airfield, maintaining continuity, and keeping passengers informed as conditions evolve. Travelers should continue to check with their airlines for the latest flight information.”
ATL has the following winter weather resources on-site for deployment:
Due to evolving weather conditions, we strongly encourage passengers to check with their airlines for the most up-to-date flight information and monitor the Airport’s social media channels.
About Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
ATL is the first airport in history to serve more than 100 million passengers in one year and continues to top passenger totals worldwide. The Airport boasts an annual direct economic impact of $66 billion in the state. A frequent recipient of awards of excellence, ATL is recognized for its leadership in concessions, operations, sustainability, architectural engineering, and construction. For more information, visit www.atl.com.
