If you think it’s cold now, you’d better grab some extra layers soon. Below-freezing temperatures and maybe some snow are on the way, according to forecasters.

How cold will it be? In the single digits Tuesday morning, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist David Chandley said. In the days ahead, the metro area is expected to face some of the coldest weather in a decade, he said.

High temperatures Monday and Tuesday will remain in the 20s as metro area teachers and students return from winter break. Students in Cobb County go back to school Tuesday, but in order to make sure the school buses are ready, drivers will start them Monday and an hour earlier Tuesday, school district spokesman Jay Dillon said.

Even before that, the Atlanta area could see snow, Chandley said, with clouds are expected to move in Saturday evening, when temperatures will reach the low 40s. Sunday’s high temperature will reach 50 degrees before a drastic drop, he said.

“By Sunday afternoon, we’ll start seeing some scattered showers,” Chandley said, and Sunday night the rain could turn to snow. Some accumulation is possible, he said.

“Then, it’s just plain cold on Monday morning and Monday afternoon,” Chandley said. “We’re going to have an extended period of below-freezing temperatures.”

Windy weather early Friday brought down numerous trees in the metro area, but no significant icing was reported.

Emergency responders urge people to be prepared before winter weather hits and possibly causes a loss of heat, power, gas and phone service. Winter weather kits should include flashlights, batteries, water, nonperishable food, blankets and sleeping bags, according to Capt. Tommy Rutledge of the Gwinnett County Fire Department.

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