Strong to severe thunderstorms were moving through Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia early Monday morning, bringing the threat of damaging winds and a few brief tornadoes as a powerful squall line pushes across the region.

Forecasters say the greatest threats including strong wind gusts and quick spin-up tornadoes embedded within the line of storms. The severe weather threat is expected to move from northwest to southeast through the morning, ending around midday as a cold front clears the area.

Behind the storms, a dramatic change in the weather is expected as much colder air rapidly moves into the region.

Lingering moisture combined with falling temperatures could lead to scattered snow showers or flurries this morning into the afternoon, particularly in areas north of the Interstate 85 corridor. However, significant accumulations are not expected, and any snow that does fall would likely melt quickly due to warm ground temperatures.

The bigger concern following the storms will be dangerously cold overnight temperatures.

A Freeze Warning has been issued for much of North Georgia, including Chattooga County, as temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s Monday night and again Tuesday night. Wind chills early Tuesday morning could feel like the upper teens to low 20s.

Tuesday will remain much colder than normal, with breezy northwest winds and afternoon highs only reaching the 40s in North Georgia.

The cold air will gradually moderate later in the week, with temperatures expected to return to the 60s by Thursday, the 70s by Friday, and possibly the 80s over the weekend as a warming trend sets in across the Southeast.

Officials warn that the freeze could damage early spring vegetation and crops that have already begun growing due to recent warm temperatures.