Update, 7:03 a.m.: The Georgia Department of Transportation has one report of icing in Fannin County in extreme North Georgia.
"Everything else is looking good at the moment," according to the DOT.
Update, 6 a.m.: Patchy black ice is possible, especially on bridges and overpasses, this morning, according to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service.
Roads are expected to be icy Friday morning as a cold, wet Thursday turned colder overnight.
Katie Martin, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Peachtree City office, said temperatures were expected to fall to around 30 degrees by 5 a.m. Feb. 21 in Hall County. She said the weather should begin to move above freezing around 9-10 a.m.
Georgia Department of Transportation maintenance workers were beginning shifts at 7 p.m. Feb. 20, according to Katie Strickland, GDOT spokeswoman.
“We’re (GDOT) activating half of maintenance forces to come into work, and we’re stocked up on our salt water solution,” she said Thursday. “They’ll spread salt or gravel, depending on what needs to be spread.”
GDOT warned of the potential of black ice, which happens when residual water or slush freezes into a transparent coating of ice on the road.
How to drive on black ice
Remain calm and do as little as possible, allowing the car to pass over the ice. Avoid braking or pump the brakes and try to keep the steering wheel straight. Do not put your car in neutral. If you do start to slide, remove your foot from the accelerator, and avoid slamming on the brakes. Steer away from the skid and don’t oversteer.
Source: DOT
No snow accumulation was expected in Hall County, but areas farther north could have an accumulation of snow on roadways.
The threat of icy roads forced many local schools to delay and some to close.
Hall County and Gainesville districts delayed the start of school by two hours.
Lynn Jones, Gainesville’s community and communications coordinator, said if conditions worsen, an announcement will be made by the school system by 7 a.m. Friday.
“The safety of our students and staff is our primary concern,” she stated.
Closings and delays
Child care centers
YMCA Child Development Center, delayed three hours
Colleges
Brenau University, delayed until 10:30 a.m.
Lanier Technical College, closed
University of North Georgia, delayed until 10 a.m. except for Oconee campus
Other
Gainesville-Hall County Senior Life Center
Schools
Forsyth County Schools, delayed two hours
Gainesville City Schools, delayed two hours
Habersham County Schools, closed
Hall County Schools, delayed two hours
Lakeview Academy, delayed until 10:30 a.m.
Lanier Christian Academy, delayed two hours
Lumpkin County Schools, closed
Riverside Military Academy, delayed one hour