Wintry mix more likely for Georgia mountains, inches of snow possible

With the question of winter precipitation still looming, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said one thing is certain: This weekend will be messy.

For most of North Georgia, a storm moving in from the west is expected to bring upwards of 2 inches of cold, soaking rain, according to Channel 2. But for some in the highest elevations of the northeast Georgia mountains, Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said it is looking more likely that some of that accumulation will be snow.

“The model data is coming into a little better agreement on wintry mix and possible snow in the northeast Georgia mountains,” he said. 

The rain from the west will run into subfreezing air from the east, causing some sleet or freezing rain to develop, he said. As early as Saturday morning, a wintry mix is possible in northeast Georgia, and that chance increases as the day goes on.

In metro Atlanta on Saturday, Nitz just expects cold rain with a high of 44 degrees and a low of 40.

“Forties, period of heavy rain and 30-mph wind gusts— it’s going to be a very uncomfortable day outside in and around metro Atlanta,” he said.

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Looking ahead to Sunday, the mountains could see some snow accumulating in the early morning hours, according to Channel 2. A wintry mix will be more widespread Sunday in the northeast corner of the state, but Nitz said it could extend into Hall County and parts of northern Gwinnett.

“We are going to fine-tune that precise location, however, over the next few days,” he said.

Above-freezing temperatures are still forecast through Monday morning, and the rain continues, according to the latest forecast. With temps expected to slide further into the 30s on Monday, Monahan he will be keeping an eye on the potential for winter precipitation to move south.

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