Expect rain and lots of it to start the work week — and maybe a dusting of snow in higher elevations on Tuesday

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City is predicting 3 inches of rain over the next couple of days in Northeast Georgia, with possible flooding in some areas.

Snow showers also are possible as the cold front moves on, leaving behind cooler temperatures and some moisture remnants, said Robert Garcia of the weather agency.

A flood watch took effect for North Georgia at 1 p.m. Sunday and was forecast to continue until late today.

Some places, particularly farther north, could see more than 3 inches of rain. And that could translate to messy driving.

"Regardless of where you are, you should realize we just had a lot of leaves fall off the trees, so a lot of drains could get clogged," Garcia said.

Also, high winds are expected through much of the area.

"That, combined with some areas starting to get rain, you could start seeing some trees come down and smaller objects being blown around," Garcia said.

Light snow showers are expected in the Hall County area Tuesday, changing to rain in the afternoon. Still, the high temperature could hit just 42.

"We're just going to have to watch that," Garcia said. "We're not expecting too much in terms of accumulation, but that could change. ... There's a better chance of it in the mountains."

He added, "In terms of ice or any kind of mix, we're not (expecting) that. Folks should just keep watching the weather conditions. I think that's the best we can do right now."

The rainfall is likely to benefit Lake Lanier, which has been falling by about a foot a week in drought conditions.

The lake stood at 1,057.93 feet above sea level Sunday afternoon, or about 13 feet below full pool of 1,071 feet. The winter full pool of 1,070 feet takes effect Thursday.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials have said the full impact of a hard rainfall may not be seen for up to two days afterward, as water makes it way into creeks and streams leading to Lanier. So, lake levels may trend upward throughout the week.

Lanier's historic low is 1,050.79 feet, set on Dec. 26, 2007.

The forecast improves Tuesday night, as rain is replaced by mostly cloudy skies. Then, sunny skies are in store through Saturday, with temperatures rebounding into the upper 50s, according to the National Weather Service.