ATLANTA, GA — While snow could freeze north Georgia, weather officials told Patch that rain could dampen metro Atlanta early Wednesday.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the north Georgia mountains, including in Ringgold, Dalton and Blairsville, the National Weather Service's Nikole Listemaa told Patch.

The snow, which could accumulate to half an inch or less before sunrise, is not expected to fall until after 1 a.m. Wednesday. The NWS reported the snow could hang around into the evening.

Listemaa said few flakes could sneak into metro Atlanta, where rainfall amounts of possibly a quarter of an inch are anticipated. Rain chances in the metro will increase after 2 a.m. Wednesday.

The rain should begin to clear out after 2 p.m.; but by Thursday, breezy conditions could arrive into the metro, Listemaa said. Wind gusts could reach 25-30 mph.

Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Below-freezing temperatures this week could make way for a cooler weekend, Listemaa said. The NWS forecasted lows in the 20s, starting Wednesday night.

The predicted wintry weather comes as a snowstorm is expected to blanket other parts of the East Coast, particularly the mid-Atlantic, AccuWeather reported. Ice accumulation and power outages could be concerning for Georgia's neighboring states.

Here is the National Weather Service's detailed forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind.

Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.

Wednesday: Showers, mainly before 3 p.m. High near 46. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Northwest wind 5-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 36. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 20.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 45.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

When the weather is warm, nothing cools you off or makes the day feel better than a swim. We found different types of swimming locations.

Faith Marnecheck, Patch Staff

ATLANTA, GA — Come on in, the water is fine! As the heat beats down, nothing is quite as refreshing as a dip in the water. If you aren't lucky enough to have your own pool, or you just want to try out some exciting other options, check out our list of places for swimming in and around Atlanta. We chose five different types of swimming options so everyone can find a location that suits them. Enjoy!

Happy swimming!

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The search for a Westminster Schools coach and teacher continued Monday, 10 days after he was last seen on Lake Oconee on his 50th birthday.

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said cadaver dogs were expected to return to the popular lake in east Georgia on Tuesday, along with volunteer search crews after Sunday’s storms hampered their efforts.

But so many questions remain, including where is Gary Jones? And what caused his disappearance and the discovery of his fiancee’s body? While Sills has said it was more than a simple drowning investigation, he hasn’t released information explaining why.

Jones and Joycelyn Nicole Wilson were seen on a small fishing boat Feb. 8. But about two hours later, that same boat was empty when it was spotted circling a couple of miles north of the Wallace Dam.

The following day, Wilson’s body was pulled from the water. The Spelman College math instructor, who adored her students and was known for her sense of humor, was 49. Jones’ sneakers were found in the water, about 15 yards apart, near some rocks in the general vicinity of where Wilson’s body was found, officials said.

ExploreTimeline of events in the Lake Oconee boating investigation

Sills told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday that when the couple’s boat was found, Jones’ brown, trifold wallet with his driver’s license inside was onboard the empty vessel, along with a key card to their room at The Lodge on Lake Oconee. Wilson’s ID, some cash and a credit card were inside a fanny pack she had on, Sills added.

He said officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources told him that Wilson’s cellphone was found in her right hand. Jones’ phone has not been located.

Information obtained from the medical examiner about the autopsy has raised questions and caused the sheriff’s office to investigate further, Sills confirmed Monday.

Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's Office

“The totality of all the circumstances ... is requiring us to take additional measures to thoroughly investigate this case,” he said.

Investigators reviewed some video footage from Feb. 8 that was available, according to Sills, but it has not offered clues to what happened to the couple. Both were healthy adults and could swim, the sheriff said. However, the fishing boat was not one typically seen on the lake, he said.

“The boat they were in was not appropriate for this water,” Sills said. “It was a dangerous situation to start with.”

Also found on the boat was a decorated cookie, Sills confirmed, but the writing in icing was not legible.

Sills said the search for any signs of Jones will likely continue for the foreseeable future as resources remain available. There were plans for more search boats at the lake Tuesday, including crews with possibly multiple cadaver dogs. The sheriff noted that the water in the search area, which is 80-plus-feet deep in spots, could be around 40 degrees at depth.

The Putnam sheriff’s office joined the DNR last week in searching the lake, shoreline and nearby woods. Sills has called the case a “death investigation” but not a homicide investigation at this point.

ExploreWhat to know about Lake Oconee boaters: Spelman instructor; coach, brother of NFL star

Sills said he wasn’t optimistic divers would be able to locate the man’s body unless it were to surface.

The couple, who first met some 30 years ago at Clark Atlanta University, had reconnected later in life and got engaged during the holidays, according to one of Wilson’s friends. Natasha Harrison, who sang in the church choir with Wilson, said her friend had posted on social media that she had found love.

ExploreSearch for Westminster coach on Lake Oconee hits 8th day as loved ones mourn

“On paper, they’re the same person,” Harrison said.

Jones also attended Georgia Tech, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering, a school spokesperson said.

After completing her undergraduate degree at Clark Atlanta, Wilson had earned master’s degrees at both Clark Atlanta and the University of Maryland, according to her Spelman biography page.

Wilson was happy and excited for her future with Jones, Harrison said. The couple planned to marry March 14. But now, their family and friends are devastated, grieving Wilson’s loss while anxious for answers about Jones after what was supposed to be a quick weekend trip.

Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Jones and Wilson put the small boat into the water at Fish Tale Marina at a ramp along Ga. 44. Once the boat was in the water, Jones steered it to The Lodge, where he picked up Wilson, Sills previously said. From there, the two rode away across the cold waters.

In a statement to Channel 2 Action News, the Jones family thanked all of those who have looked for the science teacher, who coaches track and field at the private school. Jones is the brother of former University of Georgia and NFL star Sean Jones.

“We thank you for all the well wishes, the prayers and most importantly your efforts in helping us find Gary,” the family said. “This has been a horrendous experience for our family but we will not rest until he is found. We are following all developing leads in the events surrounding his disappearance. However, our most important focus now are the multifaceted search efforts in water and on land.”

Former students are among those who have joined in the search, along with those who live in the area.

“We have unwavering faith in God that Gary will be found and that more details will be brought to light,” the family said. “While we are enduring this difficult process, we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy. Again, we sincerely thank you.”

— Staff writer David Aaro contributed to this article.

New details released in a death investigation on an east Georgia lake prompted more questions about what happened when a metro Atlanta couple went missing from their small boat.

On Tuesday, the Lake Oconee search for private school coach and teacher Gary Jones entered the 11th day. Meanwhile, the investigation continued into his fiancee’s death. It appeared the couple had planned a boat outing to celebrate Jones turning 50. A cookie with icing was found still inside his small fishing boat, according to investigators.

Jones and Joycelyn Nicole Wilson were seen on the boat Feb. 8. But about two hours later, that same boat was empty when it was spotted circling a couple of miles north of the Wallace Dam.

The following morning, Wilson’s body was pulled from the water. On Monday, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials told him that Wilson still had her cellphone in her right hand.

The autopsy on Wilson raised even more questions, Sills said.

”The totality of all the circumstances ... is requiring us to take additional measures to thoroughly investigate this case,” Sills said Monday afternoon.

Sills previously said Wilson’s death “is no longer a simple drowning. This is a death investigation.” Details about her cause of death have not been released.

ExploreWallet of missing Westminster coach found in boat on Lake Oconee

Wilson taught math at Spelman College and Jones taught science and coached track at the Westminster Schools. The two met as students at Clark Atlanta University around 30 years ago but had reconnected, according to Wilson’s friend, Natasha Harrison. After getting engaged during the holidays, the two planned to marry March 14.

On Feb. 8, the weather was unseasonably warm when Jones and Wilson put the Sun Dolphin Pro 120 into the water at Fish Tale Marina at a ramp along Ga. 44. Once the boat was in the water, Jones steered it to The Lodge on Lake Oconee, where he picked up Wilson, who had driven their truck back to the hotel, Sills previously said. From there, the two rode away across the cold waters.

Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's Office

About two hours later, the boat was spotted going in circles without Jones or Wilson aboard.

Investigators reviewed some video footage from Feb. 8 that was available, according to Sills, but it has not offered clues to what happened to the couple. Both were healthy adults and could swim, the sheriff said. However, the small boat was not one typically seen on the lake, he said.

“The boat they were in was not appropriate for this water,” Sills said. “It was a dangerous situation to start with.”

ExploreTimeline of events in the Lake Oconee boating investigation

The DNR said the boat was registered to Jones, who did not have a fishing license.

When the boat was found, Jones’ brown, trifold wallet with his driver’s license inside was onboard the empty vessel, along with a key card to their room at The Lodge, Sills said. Wilson’s ID, some cash and a credit card were inside a fanny pack she had on, he said.

After Wilson’s body was located, gray Nike sneakers belonging to Jones were found in the water about 15 yards apart, near some rocks in the area, according to investigators.

Funeral arrangements for Wilson have not been publicly announced. Through a spokesperson, the Jones family has thanked those involved in the search while requesting privacy.

— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.

Be ready to check on your people, pets, plants and pipes because it’ll be freezing every morning this week. North Georgia could even see some snow Wednesday, and north metro Atlanta is in for a wintry mix.

Temperatures were in the 20s and 30s across the region ahead of sunrise Tuesday. Highs will creep into the 50s by the afternoon, and that will be about as warm as we get at least until the weekend. Throughout the remainder of the work week, highs will stay below the mid 40s.

It will be so cold that a 24-hour winter weather advisory has been issued for far North Georgia, which will go into effect at 1 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Such advisories are issued when snow, ice, sleet or a combination of all three are expected but conditions should not be hazardous enough to meet warning criteria.

Still, residents should be aware that the roads could be slippery enough to impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes, the NWS warns.

By “6 o’clock (Wednesday) morning, we’re going to be tracking some wet snow moving into the North Georgia mountains, some occasional snowflakes mixing in on the north side of metro Atlanta and rain on the south side,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

The metro area won’t see any snow accumulations, but far North Georgia could see about a half-inch with up to an inch in higher elevations, the NWS projects.

ExploreTips on protecting your home, plants and pets in freezing temps

The snow chance is being driven by another low pressure system pushing rain into metro Atlanta from the Gulf Coast, just like the storms that brought several inches of snow to the area last month.

“The difference is not a lot of moisture, and the temperatures are going to be warmer today ahead of this storm, so that will limit the potential winter impacts,” Monahan said.

In recent past storms, temps had been at or below freezing leading up to the arrival of any moisture — ideal conditions for snow accumulation and the icy conditions it left behind.

Behind this system, though, “we’re all going to feel the very cold air into your Thursday,” Monahan said. “We’re not going to get out of the 30s for a lot of North Georgia.”

Friday afternoon should bring highs into the 40s at least, and we’ll see the 50s again over the weekend.

Then, we could see milder temps with highs in the 60s as soon as early next week.

Atlanta, are y’all ready for another winter blast this week? Like it or not, it’s here, and we might even get some snow midweek.

Monday’s frigid cold was ushered in by severe storms that pummeled the area this weekend, when downed trees left one person dead and a lightning strike set fire to a Cumming home for priests and seminarians.

The region woke up Monday to temperatures in the upper 20s and low 30s as cool air from Canada dipped southward. The temps Monday afternoon hovered in the upper 40s and aren’t expected to rise much Tuesday.

But Wednesday is when we could see some snow in North Georgia and a wintry mix in northern parts of the metro area, according to the National Weather Service.

Lows then will fall into the mid 20s, and the rain in the forecast is expected to turn into a wintry mix or snow depending on where it falls. Still, it won’t last very long.

On “Wednesday morning, we’re going to have wet weather around metro Atlanta, and just cold enough to see some snow mixed with rain in the north metro,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said. “Some minimal light accumulations (are) possible in the higher elevations of the mountains.”

Areas that do see snow are expected to get no more than about a half-inch. As temps rise into the mid 40s through Wednesday afternoon, any precipitation that is still falling will transition to rain, the NWS predicts.

Then, as temps dip back into the low to mid 20s, some light flurries could pop back up in the higher elevations Wednesday evening.

ExploreSevere storms leave 1 dead, power mostly restored across metro Atlanta

The chilly weather follows severe storms that ravaged metro Atlanta on Sunday, causing power outages that left the Clayton County jail mostly dark for several hours.

In Cumming, the Legionaries of Christ’s community home was engulfed in flames early Sunday after being hit by lightning. Most of the priests and missionaries were away for apostolic work, the group said in a statement. Four priests were home at the time and escaped.

While the home was insured, the group is facing several expenses, including demolition and cleanup costs. A GoFundMe has been set up to provide support.