Instead of surprising her daughter with an unexpected visit, Lynn Brinson was the surprised party on Friday.

Although she expected it to be chilly when she drove up from Camden County in South Georgia, she didn’t expect to see snow — piles of it at that.

"My daughter’s husband had to go out of town for work, and so she was going to be alone on Valentine’s Day. So I thought I’d surprise her and drive up to spend the weekend with her," Brinson said Friday afternoon. "Guess the surprise was on me this time."

Snow caught others off guard too as Hall County Fire and Emergency Services responded to 78 accident reports between 4 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Fire Chief David Kimbrell said. There were no serious injuries reported.

"I’m not equipped for this. People are driving crazy and someone almost T-boned me," Brinson said.

On Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a winter storm warning as snowfall exceeded expectations.

Originally, meteorologists predicted between one and two inches to fall in the Hall County area between 1 p.m. and midnight Friday. But, as snow kept falling, predictions changed to between two and four inches by 4 a.m. Saturday.

And as the snow accumulated, so did the number of people at local grocery stores preparing for a weekend that could keep them holed up at home.

"I have a lot of stuff in my freezer, but I wanted to get some stuff that we could eat in case the power went out," said Dustin Farmer, who shopped in Gainesville on his way home to Oakwood from work.

"I bought some snacks, peanut butter and other stuff for sandwiches. I bought milk and juice too. If the power does go out, I’ll sit that stuff out on my balcony to keep it from spoiling."

While some people hit the stores on Friday for necessities like food and gas, others were on the hunt for a bargain on clothes.

"Friday is my day off and I’ve been planning all week to come to Gainesville to go to Old Navy and a few other stores," said Lisa Johnson, who lives in Clermont. "Can’t let a little snow stop me from doing what I need to get done. I just drove a little slower. I have family here, so if things get too bad I can always spend the night at their house."

As temperatures dropped after the sunset, snow began to turn to ice on roads and bridges. The state’s Department of Transportation cautioned area residents to stay off roads except in an emergency, warning that road conditions around Gainesville were hazardous and would continue to be until after daybreak Saturday. Road crews were scheduled to work through the night, spreading salt and stone on bridges and other known trouble spots in the area, DOT spokeswoman Teri Pope said.

But as the sun does rise, this morning’s winter wonderland should melt a little as temperatures climb into the low 40s today, according to the National Weather Service.

It might have a short-lived comeback. Forecasters are already eyeing a little snow on Valentine’s Day, but they say it will be nowhere near what Hall County experienced Friday.