In Atlanta, where public schools were closed, forecasters expect freezing rain and up to three inches of snow starting Friday morning. With the northern half of Georgia under a winter storm warning, Gov. Brian P. Kemp declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the forecast and said it would be in place through Tuesday.

A low-pressure system is moving across the country, delivering rain, snow, and ice to much of the southeast. This same system will be making its way along the east coast early this weekend, bringing a chance for accumulating snow to the tri-state.