SUNDAY’S WEATHER-TRAFFIC: Warmup expected after snow, cold rain hit North Georgia

ATLANTA FORECAST

Sunday: High: 37

Sunday night: Low: 35

Monday: High: 41

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

Freezing rain, sleet and snow descended on the mountainous northeast Georgia counties Saturday night and into Sunday morning, leading to messy roads and downed trees.

Conditions were cold and rainy in metro Atlanta on Sunday, with temperatures not expected to rise above 40 degrees, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

While most of the precipitation is on the way out, temperatures are expected to dip again overnight Sunday, raising the risk for icy conditions on North Georgia roads.

A winter storm warning for Habersham and Rabun counties is in effect until 2 p.m. Monday. Union, Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin and White counties are until a winter storm warning until noon Monday.

Habersham County Schools announced they are closing schools Monday.

Conditions are expected to warm up marginally Monday and into Tuesday, with highs in the 40s and 50s, and sun forecast to make a return Tuesday, Monahan said.

In Atlanta, weather for Atlanta United’s MLS Cup victory parade at 10 a.m. is expected to be chilly (about 40 degrees) with overcast skies and a low chance of rain.

Much of northeast Georgia saw snow or a wintry mix Saturday night into Sunday, and meteorologists forecast possible ice accumulation on the roads.

Some of the mountain communities reported 1 to 3 inches of snowfall, while Sky Valley in Rabun County saw 8 inches of snow, Monahan said.

Wind was also an issue Sunday. Monahan said gusts could reach 20 to 30 mph.

City of Atlanta public works crews were prepared to deploy early Sunday to pretreat Priority 1 & 2 bridges, overpasses and routes, according to an announcement.

“The treatment of bridges and overpasses is a priority because bridges typically freeze faster than roads due to higher elevations,” city spokeswoman Kim Rankins said Saturday.

A complete list of Priority 1 & 2 bridges is available here.

Public Works has 14 spreaders, six brine units, 3,150 tons of salt and 23,500 tons of brine, according to the announcement.

Also, the Georgia Department of Transportation has brine — the anti-icing salt solution crews spray on roads before sleet, freezing rain or snow comes through — ready to go to treat roads.