Forecasters are warning that parts of North Georgia could face a significant ice storm today, stretching all the way down to the Atlanta area, although Floyd County and its immediate neighbors might be spared.

A system moving in from the Gulf of Mexico is expected to combine with a cold high-pressure system in the northeast to bring the threat of icing and freezing rain to parts of north Georgia beginning this afternoon, said Lans Rothfusz, chief meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.

The greatest chance of ice accumulation — from one-quarter to one-half inch — is expected in Athens, Gainesville, Dahlonega, Cumming and the Lawrenceville areas, Rothfusz said Tuesday.

A winter storm watch was posted for tonight in Rabun and Habersham counties in the extreme northeast corner of the state.

Temperatures will also drop to near-freezing in Atlanta,

Athens and areas north, the weather service reported.

In Floyd, Bartow, and Gordon County, rain is in the forecast but not the frozen variety, according to the weather service. The highs today are expected to be in the upper 30s.

Thursday’s forecast calls for a partly cloudy sky with highs in the mid 40s and Friday is expected to be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 40s, the weather service reported.

Hundreds of Georgia Power utility repair crews will be on standby to assess the winter weather situation throughout today