People living in north Georgia and northern parts of the midstate are urged to monitor weather conditions with the threat of a wintry mix of precipitation late Thursday and black ice on Friday.

The National Weather Service advises a strong low-pressure system is expected to pick up Gulf moisture to bring widespread rain Thursday afternoon.

With much colder air behind the front, temperatures will plummet and rain could turn to snow or a mixture of snow and sleet.

Although the ground is warm, the timing of the temperature drop could allow accumulations of up to 3 inches in the north Georgia mountains.

Depending on the timing, an inch or less of snow could dust grassy areas, bridges and elevated surfaces north of the Interstate 20 corridor west of Atlanta and north of the Interstate 85 corridor east of Atlanta.

No snow accumulation is predicted for Middle Georgia, but black ice could develop on overpasses and bridges early Friday as the temperature drops below freezing.

The potential for icy roads exists as far south as a Columbus to Greensboro line, according to Wednesday afternoon’s special weather statement.