Athens, GA

... Wind Advisory remains in effect until 7 PM EST this evening...

* locations... all of north and central Georgia.

* Winds... northwest 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Timing... this afternoon through tonight.

* Impacts... highest wind gusts will likely be in wide open areas
such as airports or along the ridgelines in the mountains.
Weak trees and tree limbs may be downed by the high winds.
Isolated power outages may occur.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Wind Advisory means that sustained wind speeds of at least
20 mph... or gusts to 35 mph or stronger are expected. Winds this
strong can make driving difficult... especially for high profile
vehicles. Use extra caution.

... Cold air to surges into north and central Georgia today...

An Arctic cold front was entering the state early this morning
from the northwest. This front will sweep through all of north
and central Georgia by noon today. Sharply falling temperatures
and very strong... gusty northwest winds are expected behind this
front.

High temperatures today are expected to occur this morning with 30s
and 40s across the north to the lower 50s across central Georgia.
By afternoon... temperatures will fall to near freezing in far
north Georgia and the mountains... then continue to fall into the
teens north and well down into the 20s central areas by early
Sunday.

Strong northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 35 to 40 mph
are also expected. These winds could blow down small or weak trees
and tree limbs resulting in scattered power outages. The
combination of the wind and cold temperatures will also result in
significant wind chill readings. Wind chill values will remain in
the 20s across north Georgia during the day... dropping into the
teens and single digits overnight. Across central Georgia... wind
chills will fall into the 30s by late afternoon... and into the
teens overnight.

The predominantly much warmer than normal temperatures this
winter has resulted in extremely premature budding of some
Flowers... plants... and trees. Steps should be taken to protect
any vulnerable plants... as well as outdoor pets. Outdoor water
faucets should also be protected from the subfreezing temperatures
expected tonight and again Sunday night.

In addition to the wind and cold... scattered snow showers are
expected in far north Georgia and the northeast Georgia
mountains today... beginning even as early as this morning. The
sharply falling temperatures to near or below freezing in these
areas by afternoon could result in minor accumulations... up to
one-half inch of snow... at the higher elevations... generally at or
above 2500 feet. Given the weather pattern in place... the most
likely areas for snow accumulation will be northwest facing slopes
of the higher elevations in
Fannin... Union... Lumpkin... Dawson... Gilmer... and Pickens counties.

Residents of north and central Georgia should continue to monitor
this upcoming winter weather event. A Winter Weather Advisory may
need to be issued for the northeast Georgia mountains should snow
accumulations become more widespread and significant than
currently expected.