Update 8:40 p.m.:

Power outages have spread in Polk County this evening, likely caused by winter weather in the area amid snowfall around the area.

Per the Georgia Power Outage map, customers from the state line along the Alabama Highway corridor from Esom Hill to Cedartown – also along the Johnson Lake Road corridor – are out of power currently.

Additionally, some minor outages were reported around the Cedartown area and have now been cleared off the map. Those accounted for around a couple dozen customers at most.

Accumulation of snow is being spotted around the county. The National Weather Service expect the snowfall to continue until at least 10 p.m., and temperatures are expected to dip to 26.

Less than half an inch is expected, per forecasts from the Peachtree City office of the NWS. Winds are expected to remain high, with gusts up to 25 mph.

Previously posted 7:50 p.m.:

Snow is falling around the Polk County area, and it is already having an impact on the community at-large.

Georgia Power is already reporting that customers have lost power in the area around Johnson Lake Road and Alabama Highway (278 West past around the Berry Road area.) The site reports that power should be restored by 11 p.m. to those customers.

The site also reports that a small number of customers on the Evergreen Lane area around Cherokee Elementary School lost power as well. No other reports have been provided so far.

The Polk School District has yet to make an announcement about any school cancellations at this time.

With tomorrow also being run-off day for the County Commission District 2 seat, elections officials are not yet concerned at this time about any delayed opening of polling stations due to the winter weather over the area. Any changes to the schedule of a 7 a.m. opening will be announced if they do decide to keep any precinct closed due to safety concerns of poll workers if needed in the early morning hours.

Check back for updates as they become available.

Previously posted 5:58 p.m.:

At least out here on Prior Station Road, snow has started falling in Polk County this evening but has yet to begin to stick as the National Weather Service calls for higher elevations expected to get upward of 2 inches in the North Georgia mountains.

The National Weather Service reports in their latest Hazardous Weather Outlook to expect show showers to continue through tonight and could lead to bad road conditions. The statement also reports that “breezy winds Monday night and Tuesday morning will also drop wind chill values to the teens and lower 20s.”

Have any photos of the snow? Share them with Polk.Today at kevin@polk.today!

Superintendent Laurie Atkins said this evening that schools are not yet closed for Tuesday due to dropping temperatures and any potential snow, but that employees with the district will be evaluating conditions overnight and in the early morning hours to ascertain whether it is safe for buses to operate and whether schools will need to close.

Atkins said additional updates will follow about any school closure before students are required to report to campuses in the morning.

No reports of any closures have come in so far to Polk.Today, but check back through the evening for any additional information that becomes available.

Winter-like weather is expected to stick around through the next several days, with temps getting down to 26 overnight and presenting the real possibility of icy conditions in the morning, if accumulation occurs. Tuesday’s forecast calls for sunshine and a high of 43 degrees, with a low of 23 overnight. Wednesday is expected to be somewhat warmer during the day at 54, but overnight the forecast calls for a low of 27 as below-freezing conditions are expected to persist until rain chances return on Thursday and stretch into Friday, with a potential for overnight snow into the weekend.

As always, avoid driving on icy roadways – especially those backroads across Polk County – if at all possible.

Check back for updates as they become available through the night.