Just stay home . That 's the message from officials in the path of the South 's latest nasty winter weather . In Atlanta , where less than 3 inches of snow recently brought the city to a grinding , gridlocked halt , drivers and officials seemed to have learned some lessons . Roadways were uncongested and schools closed across the metro area Tuesday morning , hours ahead of most of the expected inclement weather . Much of the city heeded the advice of local officials who advised drivers to avoid the roads from Tuesday through midday Thursday . By late Tuesday afternoon , flight cancellations for Wednesday were stacking up with about 1,700 canceled across the United States . More than 1,100 of those Wednesday cancellations were heading to or from the world 's busiest airport in Atlanta . At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International , more than 400 Tuesday flights were also canceled out of more than 1,200 U.S. flight cancellations on Tuesday , according to flight tracking site FlightAware.com . 24 hours at the world 's busiest airport . On Tuesday afternoon , Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines said it had canceled more than 1,500 Wednesday Delta and Delta Connection flights . The airline moved quickly Monday night to cancel more than 500 Tuesday flights ahead of the storm , according to spokesman Morgan Durrant . All Wednesday Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways departures -- about 160 flights -- are canceled in Atlanta , according to a statement from the joint airlines . The airport in Charlotte , North Carolina , is another spot where operations are getting snarled by winter weather , with more than 450 Wednesday flight cancellations at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport , according to FlightAware . That 's after more than 300 Tuesday cancellations . Atlanta 's guide to snow survival . The Atlanta airport ramped up winter storm operations Monday night , putting essential employees on 12-hour shifts in preparation for the week 's bad weather . The airport said in a statement that it `` will remain open and fully operational this week . '' The airport has 11 de-icing pads , 100,000 gallons of de-icing fluids and 50,000 pounds of de-icing pellets ready to treat icy aircraft and runways as well as 50,000 pounds of a salt/sand mixture to treat the airport roadways , according to spokesman Reese McCranie . During the last winter storm , the airport went through 13,000 gallons of de-icing fluid , 35,000 pounds of de-icing pellets and 35,000 pounds of the salt/sand mixture , McCranie said . Those materials will surely be needed if forecasts calling for freezing precipitation through much of Wednesday hold true . `` Accordingly , Atlanta will not be on a regular schedule until Thursday at the earliest , '' wrote Daniel Baker , chief of executive officer of FlightAware.com . Airline customers should check their flight status with airlines before departing for the airport . Many airlines are offering flexible , no-fee changes to travel dates . For those who must travel , North Carolina 's Department of Transportation cautions drivers to reduce their speed , leave plenty of room between vehicles and approach bridges and overpasses with extreme caution . Do not apply your brakes on a bridge or if your car begins to slide . If your car begins to slip , turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide and take your foot off the gas , the department advises . AAA advises motorists to check tire pressure and make sure car batteries , cooling systems and antifreeze levels are in order . Keep gas tanks close to full , the automobile association advises , so you 'll be able to run the engine for heat in case you get stranded . AAA suggests keeping the following items in your car : a shovel and a bag of sand ; a snowbrush and ice scraper ; jumper cables ; a spare tire ; windshield wiper fluid ; a cell phone and car charger ; and blankets , gloves , hats and food , water and essential medication . Conserve the battery life on your cell phone by turning it off when not expecting or making a call .
Nearly 1,100 Atlanta flights canceled ahead of winter storm for Wednesday . Charlotte , North Carolina , and Dallas also posting winter weather cancellations . Many Atlantans stayed home after the city 's recent winter weather traffic nightmare .