Winter storm brings snow and ice to metro Atlanta, north Georgia

ATLANTA — A winter storm warning is in effect for north Georgia through Saturday afternoon as a winter storm moves through with snow and ice.

The storm brought with it cold temperatures and moisture. As of 9 p.m., snow was falling across much of metro Atlanta. A short time later, Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns said freezing rain was becoming a problem.

Snow continued to fall in metro Atlanta into the early hours of Saturday.

QUICK FACTS: 

• Winter storm warning in effect until 1 p.m. Saturday
• Gov. Deal issued a state of emergency
• Sleet, freezing rain and snow part of the forecast
• Snow is expected to fall from Friday night into Saturday morning
• 1-4 inches of snow is possible 
• Travel could be "difficult to impossible" in spots late Friday night into Saturday

In an exclusive interview with Channel 2's Richard Elliot, Gov. Nathan Deal encouraged non-essential state employees to head home before 12 p.m. Friday to avoid the storm.

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Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed echoed the governor.

"The goal of the state is to have every off metropolitan Atlanta roadways by 4 p.m.," Reed said.

Thursday afternoon, Gov. Nathan Deal issued a State of Emergency that began at 12 p.m. Friday ahead of the incoming weather. The declaration includes 78 north and central Georgia counties.

Watch Channel 2 Action News for the latest forecast models showing when and where the winter weather will be.

Several school districts dismissed early Friday ahead of the incoming winter weather.

[REAL-TIME: School and Business Closings]

There were pockets of sleet and freezing rain by 10 a.m. Friday, west of metro Atlanta.

Snow started to fall in north Georgia Friday afternoon.

By Friday night, areas across metro Atlanta saw snow and freezing rain.

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“If you’re going into the office today, just make sure you’re home well before that,” Minton said. “You don’t want to be out in the evening trying to drive in this stuff.

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• GDOT prepares roads ahead of winter weather

Cox Media Group