The FOX 5 Storm Team is declaring Tuesday a Storm Alert Day for the threat of snow in metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Snow and ice will spread through the South early this week, including near the Gulf Coast where wintry weather is rare. An extreme cold warning has been issued for parts of north Georgia until 12 p.m. Monday.

The FOX 5 Storm Team is declaring Tuesday a Storm Alert Day for the threat of snow in metro Atlanta and North Georgia.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much of the central and southern Georgia area. Here's what to expect.

A winter storm watch has been issued for parts of metro Atlanta for Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning.

Heavy snow is expected to blanket large portions of the Eastern U.S. while much of the country will endure dangerously cold temperatures in the coming days

Snow was falling in the Mid-Atlantic and New York City on Sunday. The coldest air in several years will descend across much of the country starting Monday, forecasters said.

"The level and extensiveness of the frigid air may be tough to match the rest of the winter," forecasters warned.