With just a two-week reprieve from the last snowstorm, Dawson County was bracing early this week for more winter weather and the closings that come with it.

On Monday, a winter storm warning was issued for much of north Georgia with the anticipation of heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet.

According to the National Weather Service forecast, the conditions could linger into Thursday, with accumulations of snow and ice up to 4 inches.

Dawson County School Superintendent Keith Porter began watching weather forecasts and models over the weekend, before announcing that schools would be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

This week's projected storm was reminiscent of the arctic weather system that shuttered businesses, government offices, schools and some roads the week of Jan. 27. Schools were closed Jan. 28-31.

The decision to close down schools is not one that Porter takes lightly, even more so given the amount of time lost from the previous storm.

"We are presently eight days short of a full calendar," he said. "We started the year with 178 days, which is two days short of a full 180-day calendar due to the budget."

The school board announced during its Feb. 4 work session that the system would be making up the previous missed days on Feb. 14, 17 and 18, as well as April 7.

"We have missed six days due to inclement weather," Porter said. "Therefore, we are presently eight days short and need to make up four days to get to the minimum that is allowed of 176 student days."

Check back at www.dawsonnews.com for weather updates and coverage.