Massive Winter Storm Targets GA, Power Outages Possible: See Latest Forecast

Georgia officials are on alert as a powerful winter storm is expected to target the Southeast this weekend, possibly making roads impassable and causing widespread power outages that could last into Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has predicted a 60 to 80 percent chance for north and central Georgia to receive wintry weather this weekend.

Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday said the storm could be worse than this past weekend's system.

NWS meteorologist Christa Smith previously told Patch the system is a product of multiple factors and is affecting the entire Southeast region. Smith said contributors include moisture coming from the Gulf, cold air in place from a high-pressure system against the mountains and another cold air mass from the Northwest.

"We've got snow, sleet, freezing rain, all of the wintry precipitation types," she said.

AccuWeather reported the winter storm will stretch from Texas to Massachusetts, impacting at least 150 million people in the nation's southern and eastern regions.

Kemp said his office is monitoring the system and that state officials are "preparing for the worst and hoping for the best." Plans include pre-treating the roads, he said.

He encouraged residents to begin preparations, including gassing up cars and gathering food.

How The Storm Could Shape Up In Georgia

The storm's arrival is anticipated as early as Friday afternoon in Northwest Georgia, and the system could linger around as late as 3 a.m. Monday in the state, NWS meteorologist Carmen Hernandez told Patch on Wednesday.

For metro Atlanta, she said that could mean some form of wintry precipitation by early Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening.

While snowfall may primarily blanket areas toward the North Georgia mountains, metro Atlanta may want to brace for ice accumulations that could take down trees and cause power outages.

Freezing rain is another cautionary hazard for the metro. Wind gusts could cap at 20 mph Saturday into Sunday.

Hernandez said the ice will make streets difficult to drive on, if the roadways are passable at all, and below-freezing temperatures will hinder melting. This could mean impacts would still be present come Tuesday.

AccuWeather predicted pipes could burst due to single-digit temperatures, and flights could be delayed or canceled.

RELATED: Major Winter Storm Could Impact GA This Weekend

Hernandez recommended people stay off of the roads and try to keep warm.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency offers tips for before and during winter weather.

Updates will be posted on the weather service's Twitter page, the weather service's Facebook page and its website.

Here is the National Weather Service's late Wednesday morning forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. South wind 5-10 mph.

Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 53. North wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Rain showers likely before 1 p.m., then rain showers, possibly mixed with sleet. High near 40. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Saturday Night: Rain showers and freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet before 1 a.m., then freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet. Low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Sunday: Freezing rain before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain showers. High near 34. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Sunday Night: A chance of freezing rain, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 14.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 37.