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Snow, ice in Thursdays forecast
Officials warn of hazards
0116weather
U.S. Postal Service carrier Harold Smith makes his way around the square in downtown Gainesville in the drizzling rain Tuesday afternoon, making his deliveries to local businesses. - photo by Scott Rogers | The Times
The weather pendulum continues to swing in North Georgia.This past weekend brought unseasonably warm temperatures, which was followed by days of rain, and now there’s a chance for snow and black ice on Thursday.The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a special weather statement Tuesday calling for possible winter weather across North Georgia on Thursday due to a strong low pressure system.“A deep cold air mass will begin to spread into the area from west to east Thursday afternoon and evening,” the statement says. “As a result, there is a potential for rain to change over to snow ... despite warm grounds from recent unseasonable warm temperatures.”That system could result in light snow accumulation for parts of North Georgia.Otherwise, “there is a potential for patches of black ice developing on bridges and overpasses from late Thursday evening through mid-Friday morning, when temperatures fall below freezing,” according to the weather statement.Hall County Fire Chief David Kimbrell, who also serves as Hall’s emergency management director, said he is more concerned about ice than snow.“Snow is inconvenient, but ice ... can turn into some major issues,” such as power outages, he said.Teri Pope, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation’s District 1, which includes Hall, said Tuesday no preparations for bad weather were being made yet.“We will continue to watch the forecast and will plan accordingly,” she said.She said she is hoping the recent warm temperatures will prevent any accumulations.“Bridges could be hazardous Thursday afternoon and overnight if the forecast holds,” Pope said. “Bridges are always our first concern and priority ... (they) get much colder more quickly and hold the cold longer than the ground and roadways.”She added: “The porous asphalt is great now, for rain drainage, but makes ice removal difficult.