Snow expected in North Georgia; Winter Weather Advisory until 7a.m. Tuesday

ATLANTA - The North Georgia mountains can expect to see more than just flurries as a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

Snow accumulations of up to one inch are anticipated for portions of north central, northeast, and northwest Georgia. Locally higher snow accumulations may be possible at elevations higher than 2,000 feet. Wind gusts could be as high as 35 miles per hour.

Public schools in Rabun and Habersham counties are closed on Tuesday. A handful of other school districts have changed their learning days due to the weather. Several districts had a previously scheduled day off due to Veterans Day.

GET THE LATEST SCHOOL CLOSINGS/SCHEDULE CHANGES

Metro Atlanta is not included in the snowfall area, though a few stray flurries can’t be ruled out.

Potential hazards and precautions

What we know:

As of 10 p.m., the Georgia Department of Transportation is shutting down the Richard Russell Scenic Highway (GA-348) in White County due to inclement weather.

The windy conditions also caused power lines to fall at the intersection of Nelson Brogdon Blvd (S.R. 20) and Peachtree Industrial Blvd. The traffic lights are out and the entire intersection is expected to be closed through the early morning.

The FOX 5 Storm Team warned that frost and freezing conditions could kill crops and sensitive vegetation and may also damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

Residents are urged to cover or bring inside potted plants, wrap exposed pipes, and allow faucets to drip overnight. Pet owners should ensure animals have warm shelter, and those using space heaters are reminded to follow fire safety precautions.

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST BY DOWNLOADING THE FREE FOX 5 STORM TEAM APP AND FOLLOWING @FOX5STORMTEAM ON X, FORMERLY TWITTER

Snow falling in Georgia

What they're saying:

Snow began falling across parts of North Georgia on Monday afternoon, marking the state’s first winter weather event of the season and bringing a dramatic shift from recent warm temperatures.

FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist Jonathan Stacey said the snow is falling in the higher elevations and even as far south as Kennesaw, where viewers reported seeing flakes. "Everywhere needs the heavy coat," Stacey said. "In the mountains, it is snowing as we speak. Here’s a live look from Brasstown Bald, which basically straddles the Towns and Union County lines up north."

Stacey said the heaviest snowfall and most significant travel impacts are expected in the northern portions of those counties, especially after sunset and before sunrise Tuesday.

"Temperatures will be so low that it will be hard to melt any of the overnight snowfall away," he said, noting that the advisory runs through 7 a.m. Tuesday. He also mentioned that if he were forecasting, he would include Habersham, Rabun, and Whitfield counties in the conversation.

In addition to the snow, a freeze warning is in effect for all of north and central Georgia, with temperatures expected to fall into the 20s overnight. Metro Atlanta is forecast to drop to about 27 or 28 degrees. "In terms of the freeze warning, that is for everybody everywhere," Stacey said. "Temperatures will go down into the 20s tonight."

Despite the flakes flying, many roads are too warm for accumulation. "We need road temperatures at or below 32 degrees to maintain accumulation," Stacey said. "You can see there’s no blue in the state of Georgia. This is why you’re seeing snow fall, but it’s not accumulating." He explained that temperatures in Hiawassee, Blairsville, and other mountain towns remain in the upper 40s, but surface conditions will cool enough after 6 p.m. for some snow to stick.

For those traveling in the mountains, Stacey warned that bridges and overpasses could freeze first. "If you get a burst of snow, the situation could deteriorate fairly quickly," he said.

SEE ALSO: 

• Metro Atlanta braces for unpredictable winter as La Niña lingers
• Warming shelters open in metro Atlanta
• Find out if you can get help with utilizes during this freeze
• Do this now before the freeze

After Georgia's deep freeze

Local perspective:

After the deep freeze, temperatures will gradually rebound through midweek.

In Atlanta, highs are expected to climb from the upper 40s on Veterans Day to near 70 degrees by Friday and Saturday.

The north Georgia mountains will follow a similar warming trend, with highs returning to the 60s by late week.

Forecasters say skies will remain mostly clear and dry through Friday, though some models hint at another cold front and possible showers by next weekend.

Metro Atlanta workweek forecast

What's next:

Sunshine and lighter winds return midweek.

By Thursday and Friday, highs in metro Atlanta are expected to reach the upper 60s to low 70s under mostly sunny skies.

The FOX 5 Storm Team says residents can expect dry, pleasant fall conditions through the week before the next front approaches.

Weather ForecastWinter WeatherNewsInstastories