Atlanta Snow Forecast: Winter Weather Advisory Issued

GEORGIA — This has been a wild week of weather in Georgia — from severe storms, a tornado watch and continued flood watch on Thursday to light flurries Friday morning. And it may not be over.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Snow is expected mixed with rain at times. A total snow accumulation of up to two inches could occur, with possibly three to four inches at higher elevations. Amounts of generally less than an inch possible for the Atlanta metro area.

The snow could fall generally north of Interstate 20 and east of Interstate 85.

The NWS said to plan on slippery road conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses, or during heavier bursts of snow.

Temperatures are expected to warm by Saturday afternoon, so a transition to all rain should bring improving conditions.

However, the northeast mountains could continue to see periods of snow through the day. Temperatures should drop below freezing again Saturday night, making black ice possible on Sunday morning.

On Friday morning, NWS issued a hazardous weather outlook for portions of north and central Georgia.

"Although the rain has ended across the area, flooding will continue on many of the creeks, streams and rivers across the area," NWS said.

A light rain and snow mix will be possible across far north Georgia early Friday morning, mainly in the higher terrain. In the higher elevations, accumulations of a trace up to a half-inch of snow will be possible, with locally higher amounts around an inch across the highest ridgetops.

A light rain and snow mix will be possible across far north Georgia on Saturday morning, mainly in the higher terrain, the NWS said. A dusting to less than a half an inch will be possible for the Saturday system across the Northeast mountains.

Additional moderate rainfall from multiple storm systems through the extended will exacerbate ongoing river flood issues, NWS said.

Metro Atlanta is also under a special weather statement by the NWS on Friday morning.

Cold air was spreading Friday morning across north and central Georgia behind a strong storm system. Temperatures ranged mostly in the mid-30s over much of the Atlanta metro area and surrounding counties.

Scattered rain showers may mix with or briefly change to light snow this morning. No snow accumulation is expected; however, motorists are advised to use caution when traveling on elevated roadways, bridges and overpasses.

Temperatures will gradually rise into the upper 30s and low 40s by early afternoon, NWS said.

Due to the heavy rain on Thursday, a flood warning continues for the following rivers in Georgia:

• Middle Oconee River near Arcade, affecting Barrow and Jackson counties
• Oconee River near Penfield, affecting Clarke, Greene and Oconee counties
• Big Creek near Alpharetta, affecting Forsyth and Fulton counties

The flood warning continues for Big Creek near Alpharetta until late Saturday night. At 6 a.m. Friday, the flood stage was 11.1 feet and rising, NWS said. Moderate flooding is occurring and forecast. The flood stage is 7 feet.

The river is expected to continue rising to near 11.3 feet by this afternoon, then fall below flood stage late Saturday evening.

At 11 feet, moderate flooding begins and occurs upstream and downstream from the gauge on Kimball Bridge Road near Rock Mill Park. Backyards of homes off Seale Drive and Gunter Court and portions of the Golf Club of Georgia are under 2 feet of water.

Backyards of homes off Jade Cove Circle and La View Circle near Roswell will begin to flood. The Big Creek Greenway will be flooded up to 5 feet deep and will be closed. A large portion of the YMCA Campground off Preston Ridge Road will be under 3 feet of water.

Weekend forecast

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 43. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday night

Mostly clear, with a low around 32. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday

A chance of rain and snow showers before 8 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday night

A 10 percent chance of showers before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 59. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Sunday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Monday

Showers. High near 62. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Monday night

Showers. Low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.