Snow is rare enough in Georgia that a few inches of accumulation can spark wonder in school children, but the fluffy white flakes can also be a major pain for those who need to worry about commuting to work or managing a household.

Kemp said the state had issued its emergency orders early to ensure proper preparation before the winter storm arrived in Georgia.

Snow and ice is expected in north Georgia and metro Atlanta by Friday morning with a quick change over to rain and freezing rain for much of the day. Many schools and government offices have already closed ahead of the storm.