FORSYTH COUNTY – State agencies are preparing for the anticipated winter weather this weekend and are also urging Georgians to make sure their vehicles are ready.
Maintenance crews will begin pretreating roadways Friday, Jan. 6 at 6 a.m., according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
For the 21 counties in the northeast district, which includes Forsyth, 12 brine tanks with a total of 69,000 gallons of salt-water solution will spray interstates and state routes. Once snow and ice begin falling – as of Thursday afternoon that is expected to begin early Friday evening – crews will switch from brine application to snow plows and salt and gravel spreaders.
According to the National Weather Service, the first batch of the 2017 winter weather is expected to hit north Georgia, which also includes Cumming and Atlanta, Friday by about 7 p.m. and continue through Saturday morning.
The winter storm warning will begin Friday at 4 p.m. and last through 1 p.m. Saturday.
GDOT urged residents to stay off roadways unless in an emergency and to:
• Slow down and stay behind snow plows, allowing at least 10 car lengths between your vehicle and them
• Do not pass GDOT vehicles
• Be aware of black ice conditions on surfaces such as bridges and entrance and exit ramps
• Four-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes and traction control are beneficial advancements, but they cannot take the place of good driving habits
• Call 511 or visit 511ga.org to get current information on road conditions
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety also said residents and motorists should excise caution during inclement weather.
“Regardless of what happens this weekend, this is a great time to make sure your vehicle is ready for winter,” said Harris Blackwood, director of the state agency. “That is much easier to do before the predicted snow and freezing rain arrives.”
Drivers should make sure to check the tread and air pressure on their tires and that their wipers and headlights are working properly.
An inexpensive scraper can scrape snow and ice off a windshield and windows.
“Visibility is very poor when driving in the snow and properly working wipers and headlights will help drivers not only see the road by also help other drivers see them,” Blackwood said. “Of course, the safest thing for everyone to do is to stay home and not drive when it is snowing and when roads are covered with ice.”
Follow ForsythNews.com throughout the weekend for winter weather updates.