Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway close key roads for heavy snow, strong winds
Travel through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been halted via US 441 and key parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway are closed in North Carolina due to a predicted foot of snow Monday into Tuesday in the two national parks.
Parkway traffic was stopped completely south from Interstate 26, where the heaviest snow was forecast, along with strong winds.
“The majority of the Parkway is forecast to receive anywhere from a dusting to over 12 inches of snow through tomorrow morning as well as winds in excess of 50 mph in the higher elevations,” the National Park Service posted about 10 a.m. Monday.
The Blue Ridge Parkway reported snow falling at 8:30 a.m. north of Asheville near the Tanbark Tunnel.
Forecasters said travel in the area will be hazardous and wind gusts could be powerful enough to bring down branches and power lines.
A winter storm warning and wind advisory were issued for western North Carolina through 7 a.m. Tuesday, with temperatures expected to fall to 28 degrees Monday night.
“Most locations above 3,500 feet can expect snow accumulations between 6 to 9 inches, with up to 11 inches possible over the higher ridgetops above 5,000 feet,” NWS forecasters said. “Lower valley locations from Bryson City to Waynesville to Asheville will likely see 1 inch or less.”
Snow began falling along the North Carolina/Tennessee border early Monday, but it wasn’t until around 7 a.m. that temperatures fell low enough for it to stick, the National Weather Service said in its forecast.
Snow rates of “up to 1 inch per hour for several hours” are expected Monday, forecasters said.
The snow will end overnight, but temperatures in higher elevations will remain in the 30s Tuesday, officials said.
“Since temps will remain below freezing across much the warning/advisory area thru the (Tuesday) morning ... black ice/slippery road conditions will remain in effect thru noon for those areas,” the National Weather Service said.
This story was originally published December 2, 2019 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway close key roads for heavy snow, strong winds."