Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012

ATLANTA (AP) -- Temperatures plunged well below freezing across Georgia Tuesday morning, prompting at least four school systems to close.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City said a wind chill advisory was to continue through 10 a.m., as wind chill readings were expected to be as low as 2 degrees below zero.

The low wind chill was a result of extremely cold temperatures combining with strong winds. The wind chill alert was in effect for Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin and White counties in north Georgia.

WXIA-TV reports that snow and ice on roads prompted officials in Rabun, Towns, Union and Gilmer counties to cancel classes Tuesday.

Shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday, the weather service was reporting 21 degrees with light snow in Blairsville, in the north Georgia mountains.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)