ATLANTA (AP) — Forecasters have issued freeze warnings for much of northern, central and western Georgia as the coldest weather so far this season blows into the state.

The National Weather Service said the warnings will be in effect until 10 a.m. Friday. They cover all of metro Atlanta and include the cities of Dalton, Rome, Columbus, Americus, Macon, Eatonton and Gainesville.

The weather service said that by early Friday morning, low temperatures will be in the mid-20s in the Dalton and Blairsville areas, and around 28 degrees in Atlanta.

Bitterly cold weather also is expected in parts of south Georgia. Americus, for instance, is expected to see a low temperature around 34 degrees by early Friday morning.