The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Friday for an area including Gainesville and areas north of the city through today.

Mike Leary with the National Weather Service said up to four inches of accumulation is expected through today with up to a half-inch of ice. Travel is expected to be hazardous or impossible.

Georgia Department of Transportation Spokeswoman Teri Pope said crews would be out at midnight Friday to deal with any ice on the roads.

"Ice is much more difficult to deal with than snow," Pope said. "It’s more of a constant battle with ice."

Pope said people should stay off the roads, because when ice forms it is extremely dangerous to drive on.

"Our asphalt mix in Georgia is very porous," Pope said. "During winter weather, you get moisture in those cracks and crevices and ice forms, and it’s much more difficult to remove the ice."

David Kimbrell, director of Hall County Emergency Management Agency, also said ice causes more danger than snow.

"If it’s ice, our problems will be downed trees and power lines," Kimbrell said. "You always have wrecks because the roads are slippery."

David Dockery, director of Gainesville Public Works, said crews would be out all night Friday, and trucks that spread gravel and salt would be on hand to deal with any problem areas.

"We’re watching the weather," Dockery said.

Georgia Power Co. and Jackson EMC also were on alert throughout the night for downed power lines or power outages.

According to Jackson EMC, any downed power lines should be avoided because they could be electrified, even if they don’t appear to be. If a line is down across a road or in any other location that poses an immediate hazard, call 911, officials said.

According to the winter storm warning, people should prepare for power outages by having flashlights and emergency supplies ready.