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Snow, ice impacting parts of NE Georgia; Winter Storm Warning in effect

Snow. Rain. Sleet. A large winter weather system is bringing some snow to the far northeast corner of Georgia and rain and possible frozen precipitation to the metro Atlanta area.

[PHOTOS: Snow moving through parts of northeast Georgia]

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brad Nitz said parts of the northeast Georgia mountains could see major impacts from snow and ice.

[Download the FREE Severe Weather Team 2 App here]

A Winter Storm Warning went into effect Saturday for Union, Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Hall, Banks, Rabun and Habersham counties at 10 p.m.

Channel 2's Chris Jose, who said he saw a good amount of snow earlier in the day, visited Clayton in Rabun County Saturday.

Drivers fueled up knowing the next two days will likely hinder weekend plans.

A big concern overnight is whether the rain will ice over roads.

Georgia Department of Transportation crews said they were prepared for an ice event. Officials warned people who didn't need to be on the roads overnight to stay home.

"Power outages, trees down. Luckily the frozen part of this system we're expecting to be short-lived, but the ramifications could last for several days if we do end up losing a lot of power," said Capt. Zachary Brackett with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.

Thousands of Georgia Power customers are without power across north Georgia. The National Weather Service said wind gusts will cause isolated power outages even in areas that do not receive wintry precipitation.

[RELATED: What's the difference between a winter storm watch and warning?]

LIVE UPDATES: 

11:00 p.m.

Officials in Dahlonega said rain is turning into wet snow and sleet.

10:00 p.m.

Winter Storm Warning now in effect for parts of NE Georgia.

8:11 p.m.

Channel 2's Chris Jose has crossed the north Georgia/North Carolina line where rain has totally turned over to snow.

7:23 p.m.

Channel 2's Chris Jose is in Tiger, Ga, where snow has turned back over to rain for now.

7:19 p.m.

Nitz says some parts of northeast Georgia in the mountains could reach 6 - 12 inches in isolated areas:

6:45 p.m.

Ice accumulation and freezing rain are possible over a large part of northeast Georgia:

4:40 p.m.

Nitz answered your questions about snow and potential ice moving in on Facebook.

HAPPENING NOW: Snow moves in to northeast Georgia

HAPPENING NOW: Severe Weather Team 2's Brad Nitz is taking your questions as snow moves in to northeast Georgia. The potential for winter weather increases for metro Atlanta later tonight: https://2wsb.tv/2rts2YZ

Posted by WSB-TV on Saturday, December 8, 2018

4:39 p.m.

More snow, this time up in Sky Valley! If you are able to safely snap a photo, share it with us on Twitter using the hashtag #StormWatchOn2 or post it on our Facebook wall!

3:15 p.m.

Temperatures are falling in the metro Atlanta area. Freezing rain is possible later tonight.

3:00 p.m.

Viewers have reported seeing accumulating snowfall in Rabun County. A viewer just sent us a picture of snow on roads in Tiger, Ga. in the far northeast corner of the state, where the elevation is just under 2,000 feet.

Cox Media Group

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