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

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.

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.