ATLANTA — Winter weather could bring a mix of rain, snow and sleet to metro Atlanta as the weekend comes to a close.
Severe Weather Team 2 chief meteorologist Glenn Burns says precipitation will arrive late Sunday and continue through Tuesday.
“As we go on through 9 p.m. (Sunday) we see some snow develop in the far northern counties. That snow area expands to the southwest as we get towards 6 a.m. Monday and then it starts to mix in with a little bit of sleet, freezing rain and a rain/snow mix across the area as we get on toward Monday at Noon. Then we’re going to see a change over from that wintry mix to all rain in some of our western counties, a wintry mix across Atlanta and snow from Gainseville to Athens,” Burns said.
Burns said this forecast is not set in stone at this point because there are still a lot of changing variables about this storm.
Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said that temperatures will drop into the low 20s on Monday, making snow and ice possible.
The weekend will start with warm weather with highs in the upper 50s on Saturday. Temperatures on Sunday will only reach the upper 30s.
The five meteorologists of Severe Weather Team 2 will continue to analyze the models throughout the weekend.
Get the timing of the winter weather and an updated forecast on Channel 2 Action News starting at 5.
<span><strong>Road Preparations</strong></span>
The Georgia Department of Transportation is preparing a brine solution to spray on major interstates. Crews will use 10 specially equipped trucks to coat the roads.
"Our priority interstates, inside I-285 and outside I-285. We will get all lanes so it won't just be bridges and overpasses," spokeswoman Natalie Dale said.
State officials decided to use the brine mixture to pretreat roads as part of the plan developed after the 2014 snow storm.
Once snow or sleet starts to fall the state will dispatch 18 interstate teams. Each includes a salt truck, a HERO unit, Georgia State Patrol escort and an additional DOT vehicle.
Warming centers also opened on Friday in anticipation of cold weather and precipitation.
<strong>People Prepare for Storm</strong>
Channel 2’s Carl Willis stopped by a grocery store on Chamblee Tucker Road. While most people were more focused on Valentine’s Day supplies, others like Jay Postma were thinking about the usual run on water and bread.
"My cupboards are more bare than they need to be so, I’ll stock up before Monday," Postma said.
Postma is also hoping for a little snow for his kids
“One day off and then they can get back to work," Postma said..
Tamarah Beckley told Willis she's prepped and ready.
"I got a weather radio and I kind of listen when they give people time to get home," Beckley said.
<span><strong>Most Schools Closed Monday<br/></strong></span>
Most metro schools are not in session on Monday, because of the President's Day holiday, but the decision to close is already a tough one for day cares.
"We're going to watch the weather over the weekend. I sent an email out already to my parents warning them," Phoenix School day care director Bobby Dent said.
The state agency that oversees all day cares in Georgia says all facilities are required to have severe weather plans in place. Officials told Channel 2's Aaron Diamant that the day cares should have communicated with parents on Friday afternoon about the options for Monday.
Normally day cares take their cue from public school districts, but many schools are already scheduled to be closed Monday.
Atlanta, Clayton, Decatur, DeKalb, Fulton, and Marietta schools are among those closed on Monday. Gwinnett schools are closed for students, but it is a staff development day. Cobb County schools are open regularly.
Stay with Channel 2 Action News and wsbtv.com throughout the weekend for the latest on plans for roads and schools as well as continuous updates on the changing forecast.