The North Georgia mountains got a snowy taste of winter this week.

The Georgia Department of Transportation bladed off light snow that had fallen early Wednesday off U.S. 129 on Blood Mountain in White and Union counties.

Workers also spread salt and stone to prevent moisture from freezing on roadways and creating ice, said Teri Pope, spokeswoman for the DOT's Gainesville-based District 1.

"The crew worked for about four hours and then monitored conditions," she said.

Another crew worked 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, spreading one load of salt and stone on Ga. 136 on Burnt Mountain in Dawson County, Pope said.

"Sleet and some snow was falling and the temperature was 37 degrees," she said.

The salt and stone mixture "creates more traction on the road and creates friction, which encourages melting," Pope said. "This work was preventive, and it worked."

Also, the highest elevation of Ga. 348/Richard Russell Scenic Parkway, which runs between Blairsville and Helen, was closed at 2 a.m. Wednesday and "will remain closed until temperatures warm and the threat of winter weather is gone," Pope said.

Hall County residents awoke Wednesday morning to temperatures in the mid-30s, but no snow or ice. Fire Chief David Kimbrell said there were no problems with ice on the road.

According to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, the area's forecast calls for sunny skies through Tuesday, with the temperature rising to 64 on Saturday.

Overnight lows also will start to climb, reaching the mid-40s by Saturday.