Forecasters at the National Weather Service have issued a winter storm warning for 12 Georgia counties in the northwest and northern parts of the state.

The winter storm warning will be in effect from 10 a.m. Thursday until 7 a.m. Friday. It includes the cities of Rome, Calhoun, Chatsworth, Dalton and Blairsville.

Forecasters said a cold polar air mass spreading into Georgia was expected to bring rain that will mix with and change over to snow Thursday afternoon and evening.

The weather service said the heaviest snow was expected to fall in the mountains, with lighter amounts possible in parts of the Atlanta area.

Most of the Atlanta metro area will be under a winter weather advisory through Friday morning. Light snow and black ice will be possible in the metro area.

Tags: National Weather Service, Georgia weather, cold weather, Winter Storm Warning, winter storm