Alpharetta has proactively cancelled all weekend recreation programs and activities — including Friday night athletic practices — in advance of the winter storm.

It has also cancelled its Christmas tree recycling event that was to occur Saturday, according to a city spokesman.

The city plans to activate its command center Friday at 7 p.m., at which time the public works crews will report for overnight duty.

“Public works will at that time move to 12-hour shifts through the weekend,” the spokesman said in an email. “Equipment has largely been prepared and is ready to go.”

Citizens will be encouraged to be off area roadways by 6 p.m. Friday and, depending on the changing forecasts, possibly through the weekend.

Johns Creek officials will have an update meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss the city's emergency preparationsand Sandy Springs has mobilized its "winter storm emergency team."