Coldest weather of the season headed our way

PEACHTREE CITY - The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for north Georgia tonight.

A strong cold front is expected to bring the coldest weather of the season when it moves in this afternoon. Temperatures tonight are expected to be in the upper 20s and low 30s across the metro area.

The coldest reading so far this fall at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport in Gainesville was 37 degrees last Tuesday. But other parts of north Georgia already have seen temperatures at or below freezing.

"Sprinkler systems that are left on overnight can create a hazardous condition for motorists the next morning," said DOT Communications Officer Teri Pope. "Every year we see accidents caused by icy spots formed when water from sprinkler systems gets onto the roadway. Spray from the sprinkler is blown onto the road or water drains onto the road; black ice is formed and we have problems."

The worst time of the year for these accidents is during the first cold spell of the season with sub-freezing temperatures.

DOT Board Chair Mike Evans added, "It's not just businesses; residences along State Routes can cause the same problem. Your sprinkler system should be turned off already because of our water restrictions but we wanted to remind you that your sprinklers could create a dangerous situation for people driving."

Pope concluded, "Tomorrow morning if you have sub-freezing temperatures, please be on the lookout for icy patches or black ice, especially early in the morning."

(AccessNorthGa.com's Ken Stanford contributed to this story.)