Updated Thursday, 5 p.m.
Georgia Department of Transportation says it will be out in force to pre-treat roadways with brine and a salt-and-gravel mixture if icy conditions materialize in the metro Atlanta area and throughout north Georgia during the early morning hours.
Motorists can call 511 or visit www.511ga.org before traveling and www.dot.ga.gov/winterweather to stay informed.
Updated Thursday, 2 p.m.
A freezing rain advisory replaces the winter storm watch for Bartow and nearby counties, including Floyd and Cherokee.
In effect from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, it warns of freezing rain Friday morning and afternoon that could make roads slippery, making travel difficult, especially on bridges and overpasses.
Morning temps in the upper 20s to about 30 are expected to warm to 40 by the afternoon. A tenth of an inch of ice or less could accumulate before the frozen stuff turns to rain.
In Cartersville and Bartow County, Friday holds a 60 percent chance of precipitation with a chance of freezing rain mainly before 1 p.m. and then a slight chance of freezing rain again Friday night, according to the NWS forecast.
Low temps Thursday and Friday night are forecast to be below freezing, around 30.
A freezing rain advisory means that periods of freezing rain or freezing drizzle will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads, slow down and use caution while driving, NWS says.
Updated Wednesday, 5 p.m.
NWS issed a winter storm watch for north Georgia, including Cartersville and Bartow County, in effect late Thursday night through Friday evening.
It warns of freezing rain, possible mixed with sleet, and ice accumulations up to a quarter inch, in areas north of a Rome-to-Gainesville line. Most of the precipitation would fall during Friday during daytime hours.
In Cartersville, frozen precipitation would fall mainly between 2 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, according to the NWS forecast. Thursday night's low is expected to dip below freezing, to 29.
A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel.
Original Report
The threat of severe weather for Cartersville and Bartow County looms again.
A chance of freezing rain or sleet is forecast for Thursday night when the low will dip to about 30 and likely Friday when the high is expected to reach 38, according to the National Weather Service.
NWS predicts gives Bartow a 30 percent chance of precipitation Thursday night and a 60 percent chance Friday, but predicts both a wintry mix could affect both.
An Arctic air mass and moisture moving into the area is to blame.
NWS' hazardous weather outlook reads in part:
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA. ... THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY... AN ARCTIC AIRMASS WILL BE MOVING INTO THE EASTERN HALF OF THE UNITED STATES ON THURSDAY SETTING UP A COLD AIR WEDGE ACROSS NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA. AT THE SAME TIME MOISTURE FROM THE WEST AND SOUTHWEST IS EXPECTED TO RISE UP AND OVER THE COLD AIR AT THE SURFACE. THE COMBINATION OF THESE INGREDIENTS WILL SET THE STAGE FOR POSSIBLE FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET OVERNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.
The winter weather threat should end by the weekend. Forecasts call for sunny weather and a high near 45 on Saturday.
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