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.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a Winter Storm Warning for Metro Atlanta, which will go into effect beginning 7am Friday and end at 7am Saturday. Snow showers will begin as early as 7am,

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.

The City of Atlanta is taking no chances as it prepares for an incoming winter storm expected to hit the area on Friday. Mayor Andre Dickens and other city officials have launched an extensive pre-treatment effort for roads and opened warming centers for the unhoused population.

While Thursday will just be cold, Friday will bring a combination of snow and ice that will create travel disruptions and possible power outages.

Several inches of snow, as well as a mix of freezing rain and sleet, are possible in major Southeast cities such as Atlanta, Georgia, as a winter storm barrels across the region through Saturday.