There will be no easing back into the swing of things Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday. Winter has arrived very abruptly in North Georgia.

Temperatures in metro Atlanta are near 50 degrees to start the day but will crash into the 30s by 9 a.m., according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan. The city is looking at 44 degrees for a high, not a low, as the coldest air of the season settles in Monday afternoon.

Some areas on the Northside could even see snow flurries before the day is over, Monahan said. It is a far cry from Thanksgiving celebrations last Thursday, which topped out at 74 degrees.

“Mid-70s was one of our warmest Thanksgivings on record,” Monahan said. “That is a distant memory now.”

Monday morning is starting out with scattered showers and a wide range of temperatures across North Georgia. By 1 p.m., Monahan said the entire region will be cold in the 30s and 40s, and a strong wind could make it feel even colder.

“It’s going to be a midwinter kind of afternoon across North Georgia,” he said. “From Atlanta south, I don’t think we’re going to see much in the way of any flurries. But as you head up to Northside of the metro and into the mountains, by 4 p.m., there’s going to be some snow showers falling.”

With the blustery conditions, low temperatures and possible snow in the forecast, the National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for all of North Georgia.

“Any light snow accumulations could lead to hazardous road conditions,” the Weather Service said. “Snow accumulations should remain around an inch or less with locally higher amounts possible in higher elevations and on west and northwest facing slopes.”

Monahan said only the highest ridgetops of the northeast Georgia mountains can expect to see accumulation Monday. Roads there could become slick as the snow begins to fall, he said.

Flurries in metro Atlanta are not expected to impact travel conditions.

“If you’re in Alpharetta or Milton, or even up toward Canton and Ball Ground, do not be surprised if there’s a flurry later on this afternoon,” Monahan said.

The wintry conditions will stick around at least a few days, according to Channel 2. The first freeze of the season is expected Monday night, then Monahan said Tuesday should be even colder with lows in the 20s and a projected high of 42 degrees.

Freezing starts are in the forecast through Thursday morning. According to Channel 2, temperatures are not expected to leave the 50s this week.

With wet roads and gusty wind, multiple crashes have been reported Monday morning, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Only one crash was causing major delays as of 6:30 a.m. The wreck involves a jackknifed tractor-trailer and has blocked the I-285 South ramp to Old National Highway for several hours, the Traffic Center reported. Multiple lanes have also been closed at times.

» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.

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