Inclement Weather Advisory, Wind Advisory for Forsyth County

A wind advisory is in effect for Forsyth County until midnight, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.

Strong and gusty winds blowing from the west at 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are expected tonight.

If you are going to be traveling on the roadways tonight into Friday morning, the Georgia Department of Transportation is urging you to exercise extreme caution as winter weather is in the current forecast for parts of North Georgia.

“We are continuously monitoring the weather and the forecast as winter weather is predicted," said Kent Sager, district engineer at the DOT office in Cartersville, in a press release.

"Snow, black ice and fallen trees are possible overnight and tomorrow morning. Before you head out on the roads tomorrow [Friday] please check the weather and road conditions, especially if you live or travel to mountainous areas,” he said.

The following information was given to Cumming Patch by GDOT as possible trouble locations to be aware of:

• Black ice tends to form on bridges first and can reform quickly;

• Highest elevations or gaps are predicted in Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Murray, Towns, Union, Walker, White and Whitfield counties;

• because of the drought and high winds that can potentially topple trees across the roadway you may be traveling on – taking down power lines or traffic signals with them.

“Weather reports call for up to one inch of snow in the higher elevations of the mountains. Winds gusts up to 35 miles per hour are also possible," Sager said. "So we encourage all motorists to stay off the roadways until after daybreak if possible. If you must be on the roads, please exercise extreme caution particularly as you approach bridges or higher elevations."

GDOT has said it will monitor conditions overnight and respond as needed, if needed, overnight based on information from local law enforcement and information from the National Weather Service.

Editor's Note: For updated information on roadway conditions before getting on the road during a winter weather event call 511.

Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, including winter weather closures, reports of icing or other hazardous conditions on interstates and state routes.

Callers can also transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.