Thousands of families without power, more rain expected

GEORGIA — More rain into Monday morning could make roads even more dangerous during your commute.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Union, Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Hall and Banks counties until late Sunday night. A Winter Storm Warning for Rabun and Habersham counties has been extended until Monday.

Channel 2's Chris Jose learned hundreds of Georgia Power customers are in the dark Sunday night in northeast Georgia.

We're using the most powerful weather technology to show you what you can expect, on Channel 2 Action News This Morning starting at 4:00 a.m.

Residents know it could take a few days until power is restored, people Jose spoke with said they are thankful this winter storm didn't cause more problems.

“If it was a little bit more, it could’ve came across the house, and it was so big and so wide, it would’ve taken the whole house out,” said Bonnie Edmonds.

Due to the weather conditions, a number of school districts have closed or canceled classes. Rabun County Schools, Habersham County Schools and White County Schools have canceled classes tomorrow. Rabun County school employees are being advised to attend work at 10 a.m. or when it is safe to do so. In White County, there is a winter weather warning until noon on Monday.

[READ: List of school and business closures]

Our Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologists have been tracking this system as it developed over the last week.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said that some areas in the north saw wintry mix and some ice.

Much of the metro received just a cold rain.

[RELATED: What's the difference between a winter storm watch and warning?]

Channel 2's Alyssa Hyman traveled to Pickens County and found families without power stopping by a gas station for reinforcements. The night manager there said they were busy all day.

“Everybody’s buying everything between water and snacks because the power is off up through the mountains,” said Becky Hathcock.

Hyman saw crews working to restore power lines and poles ice and wind brought down in the mountains.

Families aren’t in the clear just yet. Pickens County emergency officials are preparing for a possible second night of dangerous conditions.

"If the forecasted temp does drop into the 20s as forecasts all of this moisture could start to refreeze in a lot of areas," said Kris Stancil with the Pickens County Sheriff's Office.

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LIVE UPDATES: 

9:09 p.m

Pickens County School District will be closed Monday. Staff are advised not to report to work.

7:51 p.m.

Gilmer County Schools will operate on a two hour delay tomorrow due to the weather conditions.

3:13 p.m.: Winter Storm Warning for Rabun and Habersham counties has been extended through 2 pm Monday.

2:26 p.m.: Sandy Springs reported several roads are closed due to downed trees and power lines.

12:32 p.m. Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said temperatures will stay cold but above freezing across metro Atlanta. Black ice will be a concern overnight.

11:57 a.m.: Channel 2's Chris Jose is experiencing wet, heavy snow in Rabun County.

11:34 a.m.: Channel 2's Lauren Pozen found a tree collapsed onto a home in Cobb County.

11:32 a.m.: Temperatures will stay in the mid to upper 30s across metro Atlanta.

10:16 a.m.: Trees have toppled down onto power lines in Rabun County.

9:57 a.m.: Winter weather advisory dropped for the northeast metro -- winter storm warning continues in the north Georgia mountains.

9:44 a.m.: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brad Nitz said that there is 1/4 inch of ice reported on roads and trees in Elbert County.

9:29 a.m.: The highest snowfall report in Georgia is in Sky Valley in Rabun County where it received just under 8 inches.

9:10 a.m.: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan says that viewers are reporting a half inch of sleet in Banks County this morning.

9:09 a.m.: Cobb County's spokesperson Ross Cavitt reports that there are multiple trees down and flooded roads in the county this morning.

8:53 a.m.: Sandy Springs reports road closures at North Harbor Drive/Riverside, 400 Heards Ferry Road, Forest Ridge Circle/Mount Paran Road.

8:37 a.m.: Channel 2's Chris Jose says that road conditions are improving but are still very snowy and slushy.

8:09 a.m.: Channel 2's Chris Jose in Rabun County says the snow there reminds him when he lived in Denver, Colorado.

8:02 a.m.: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan says the most widespread precipitation is on its way out, but still some freezing drizzle/rain possible over the mountains and NE metro.

7:56 a.m.: Sandy Springs reports trees down in the city.

7:29 a.m.: Channel 2's Chris Jose in Rabun County where it is slick, snow and slushy.

7:21 a.m.: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said that drivers will need to watch out for slick spots on untreated roads.

7:08 a.m.: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said moisture will be diminishing across the area but with temperatures near freezing, there will be potential for slick travel.

6:58 a.m.: Road temperatures in northeast Georgia are around 32 degrees.

6:37 a.m.: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said bridges and overpasses could get slick even if the temperatures are above freezing.

6:23 a.m.: Channel 2's Chris Jose is in Rabun County where he is reporting slick and slushy roads along US-441.

6:07 a.m.: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said that temperatures are freezing around Lake Lanier area, increasing the chance for freezing rain.

6:03 a.m.: Channel 2's Chris Jose talked to a man in Rabun County who said that he's out on the roads early this morning and said that "it's wet, but slick."

5:35 a.m.: Channel 2's Chris Jose is in White County where he is seeing snow on the ground.

5:09 a.m.: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said that there are reports of several trees down in White and Dawson counties.

4:20 a.m.: Temperatures in Atlanta are 37 and 33 in Gainesville. Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said that he's seeing reports of icing on the west side of Lake Lanier in parts of Dawson County.

Cox Media Group