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Freezing rain advisory until 2 p.m.
National Weather Service urges caution
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Freezing rain remains a possibility for Northeast Georgia, and the National Weather Service has extended the freezing rain advisory until 2 p.m. today.

Rainfall has begun falling in the Northeast Georgia area. At 11 a.m., the temperature had dropped to 30 degrees.

The weather service said some icing has already begun in the higher elevations. Freezing rain is possible in Gainesville, which could make some roadways, especially bridges, slick. But no accumulation of ice is expected.

Still, the National Weather Service on Monday issued a freezing rain advisory and a hazardous weather outlook until 10 a.m. today across North Georgia.

The chance for precipitation is 70 percent.

According to the weather service, a freezing rain advisory means that "periods of freezing rain or freezing drizzle will cause travel difficulties."

Further caution from the agency: "Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving."

"The threat is there," said Shirley Lamback, a weather service meteorologist in Peachtree City. "If we start the rain, temperatures will be cold enough for it to freeze. And we could get some very light accumulations."

The advisory says that "warmer air will move in at the surface (this morning), allowing the freezing rain to subside by 10 a.m."

The freezing rain would come on the heels of two bad weather events in the past week, resulting in a flurry of cancellations, school and otherwise, across the area.

Steven Ballowe, superintendent of Gainesville city schools, said he would be closely monitoring weather conditions in the early morning.

The system had to postpone school for two hours Thursday because of snow.

"If we get to school, (the weather’s) not going to be an issue," he said.

Today’s high temperature is expected to hit 44.

The weather should improve through the rest of the week, with sunny skies forecast for Wednesday through Friday. Rain could return by Saturday, but the high is expected to reach 49.

Sunday could mean a relative heat wave, with the mercury closing in on 60 degrees.