Winter Storm Warning, Extreme Cold Threaten Towns, Union, Clay and Cherokee Counties

A powerful winter storm is set to impact north Georgia and nearby mountain areas this weekend, bringing snow, strong winds and dangerously cold temperatures to Towns, Union, Clay and Cherokee counties.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Union and Towns counties from 7 p.m. Friday until 1 a.m. Sunday. Forecasters say the system is expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of snow, with locally higher amounts possible, especially in higher elevations. Wind gusts could reach 35 mph, leading to blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.

Road conditions are expected to deteriorate quickly as temperatures fall. Officials warn that bridges and overpasses are likely to become slick, and travel could be very difficult to impossible at times. Wind chills on Saturday are forecast to range from 5 degrees below zero to the lower teens, dropping as low as 10 degrees below zero Saturday night.

A Winter Storm Warning is also in effect for Clay and Cherokee counties in western North Carolina, as well as eastern Polk County, Tennessee, from 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Saturday. Those areas could also see 2 to 4 inches of snow, with higher totals in the mountains. Slippery roads could affect the Friday evening commute.

Beyond the snowfall, an Extreme Cold Watch is in effect from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon for all of north and central Georgia. Wind chills in the north Georgia mountains could plunge to around 10 degrees below zero, with single-digit wind chills possible farther south. Prolonged freezing conditions increase the risk of frostbite, hypothermia and burst water pipes.

Emergency officials urge residents to delay travel if possible. Anyone who must be on the roads is advised to carry an emergency kit with food, water and a flashlight, and to check road conditions by calling 511. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors during the worst conditions and to dress in layers and cover exposed skin when outside.

Homeowners should take precautions to protect pipes by wrapping them, draining them or allowing faucets to drip. Pets should be brought indoors, and residents are asked to check on elderly neighbors, friends and family members as the cold intensifies.