Governor Nathan Deal ~~ Photograph by Robert Sutherland

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for much of North Georgia, with sleet and ice in the forecast.

After enduring scathing attacks following the traffic gridlock in Atlanta from the most recent snowstorm, Gov. Nathan Deal this morning declared a state of emergency for 14 North Georgia counties: Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Banks and Jackson counties.

Since that original declaration, the governor expanded the state of emergency to include 31 additional counties, bringing the total to 45.

The additional counties include: Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Chattooga, Gordon, Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Haralson, Carroll, Douglas, DeKalb, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Walton, Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Franklin, Hart, Madison, Elbert and Lincoln counties.

Deal will expand the order to additional counties as conditions warrant. For the most up-to-date announcements, please follow the governor on Twitter, @GovernorDeal.