Winter Storm Georgia. Storm watch expands to Athens, more N. GA counties

Some very cold weather is moving further south in what the Weather Channel is calling Winter Storm Fern. While the exact severity of the storm is in flux, more of Georgia has been placed under a winter storm watch by the National Weather Service.

Where is the winter storm watch Georgia?

The first watch is largely in Georgia’s northern-most area covering cities like Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Fort Oglethorpe, Hiawassee, and Rome. The expanded watch now covers Athens, Crawford, Comer, Washington, Winder, Watkinsville, and Commerce.

Where is the winter storm watch in Georgia?

Both of the winter storm watches will be in effect from late Friday night through Monday morning.

When is it going to snow in Georgia?

In the areas under a winter storm watch, the NWS says heavy mixed precipitation is possible with total snow and sleet accumulations of an inch or less and ice accumulations greater than one quarter inch.

Here’s what the forecast looks like in other areas:

• Atlanta: Freezing rain is late Saturday and snow showers are late Sunday.
• Augusta: Rain and sleet possible Saturday, then freezing rain mixed possibly mixed with sleet 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. followed by more freezing rain through Sunday.
• Savannah: Little winter weather is predicted here. There’s a 30-40% chance of rain Saturday and 60-80% chance Sunday. Temperatures will drop down to about 41 degrees.

What is a winter storm watch?

A winter storm watch is issued when significant winter weather is possible, but not imminent, according to Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security. A watch is typically issued 12 to 48 hours before the possibility of winter weather.

What is the difference between a winter storm watch and a winter storm warning?

A winter storm warning is issued when a significant winter storm is more imminent and is a dangerous threat to life and property. These warnings are typically issued up to 36 hours before an event that has at least an 80% chance of significant winter precipitation.

Another term worth knowing is ‘winter weather advisory,’ which indicates that winter weather is imminent and may cause inconveniences, but isn’t extreme enough to warrant a ‘warning.’

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.