Gov. Kemp declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm

ATLANTA — A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for much of the north Georgia and several extreme northeast counties are now under a Winter Storm Warning as a winter weather approaches the state.

The watch has been issued for: Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Chattooga, Gordon, Cherokee, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Hall, Banks, Jackson and Madison counties. The watch goes in to effect late Saturday night through late Sunday night.

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Rabun and Habersham counties starting at 6 p.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Monday.

Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency ahead of the system. The order covers Georgia counties north of I-20 and makes resources available for preparation and recovery. In addition, it makes up to 1,000 Georgia National Guard troops ready to respond.

We’re going over the hour-by-hour forecast and how much winter precipitation you could expect, RIGHT NOW on Channel 2 Action News.

NEW: The Winter Storm Watch (purple) has been expanded into the north and east metro and has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning (pink) in far NE Georgia. The rest of watch will likely be upgraded tonight or early Saturday. I'll have the timing and impacts on Channel 2. pic.twitter.com/ml9t19EH4R
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) January 14, 2022

Much of North Georgia, and parts of the Atlanta metro, could see 2-5 inches of snow. Some extreme Northeast Georgia counties could see 6-10 inches of snow.

Ice could also be issue for the counties under the watch area. Parts of those counties could see up to 1/4 inch of ice as well.

Severe Weather Team 2 has been telling you all week about the threat of winter weather. Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns says the farther north you live along GA-400 & I-85, the more significant your impacts will be.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Severe Weather Team 2 App for alerts wherever you go]

Here is what to know about this weekend’s winter weather system.

Widespread 2-5″ snowfall totals are possible from the northeast metro and into the mountains; there will also likely be some ice as well.
In town, an inch or so of snow is possible with higher amounts in the near northern suburbs.
Southside will mainly see rain though it could end as a period of winter mix late Sunday
Think about your plans and how to prepare!

[INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar]