The winter storm that knocked out power and brought plunging temperatures to other parts of the country moves into metro Atlanta and north Georgia this weekend, and state officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Nitz the mountains will see “accumulations to 2-3, isolated 4-inch totals or higher in the higher peaks of the North Georgia mountains.” The Atlanta metro will see snow in the morning with it turning to freezing rain. “From the metro to the area to the north, we’re talking one to two inches,” Nitz said.

Another massive winter storm is forecast to pummel the southern and eastern U.S., with impacts from Texas to the Carolinas.

Areas in the north Georgia mountains will see between 3-6 inches of snow with locally higher amounts possible farther north into the mountains. Snowfall totals of 1-2 inches will be common around I-20 with 0.1-0.25 inch of ice possible. The northern suburbs in metro Atlanta will see between 2-3 inches of snow.

A winter storm warning is in effect for all of north Georgia until Saturday. The main impacts are snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice.

Metro Atlanta faces hazardous conditions under a Winter Storm Warning, with freezing rain and sleet making travel dangerous Friday morning.

A low-pressure system is moving across the country, delivering rain, snow, and ice to much of the southeast. This same system will be making its way along the east coast early this weekend, bringing a chance for accumulating snow to the tri-state.

Snow is rare enough in Georgia that a few inches of accumulation can spark wonder in school children, but the fluffy white flakes can also be a major pain for those who need to worry about commuting to work or managing a household.