Snow, ice giving way to rain, warmer temps

The snow and ice and sub-freezing temperatures that have dominated north Georgia's weather for about week are giving way to rain and warmer temperatures for the time being.

Though damage from the ice storm that struck last Monday remains vividly evident throughout the Gainesville area and other parts of north Georgia, much of the snow and ice should be gone by the end of the day today. Temperatures are expected to warm into the 50s in many places though a return to below normal readings is expected tomorrow.

The low in Gainesville Sunday morning at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport was 39, the first time since Feb. 11 that the low has been above freezing.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said up to 3 inches of snow and sleet fell in places in north Georgia Saturday. Facebook postings showed snow-covered ground in Union and Rabun counties, among other places.

The NWS says a new cold front is bringing rain into Georgia with totals today and tomorrow expected to range from a third of an inch in the northwest corner of the state to about 1.5 inches in west Georgia.

As for Gainesville and other parts of northeast Georgia, half-an-inch to an inch can be expected.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)