Winds as strong as a tropical storm could roar through western NC, forecasters say
First it was a foot of snow, and now it’s tropical-storm-strength winds.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory until 6 a.m. Thursday for several counties in western North Carolina, including Avery, Yancey and Mitchell. Forecasters warned a few mountain peaks and ridgetops could see gusts as strong as 60 mph.
Hurricane season is over, but a tropical storm carries winds between 39 and 73 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects,” forecasters said. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”
Banner Elk, Lenoir, Granite Falls, Morganton, Woodlawn and Marion, among others, are under the advisory. Most towns and cities will see winds between 25 and 35 mph, but some gusts could reach 50 mph.
Winds were blowing west at 24 mph by 6:30 p.m., according to the weather service.
Forecasters predicted they would pick up speed “dramatically” at higher elevations around sunset Wednesday, with the strongest expected in the evening. They urged drivers to use caution on the road and said residents should secure any objects outdoors.
It’s the second adverse weather condition expected this week.
A winter storm warning was in effect for the eastern Tennessee mountains and areas of western North Carolina until 7 a.m. Tuesday, McClatchy news group reported.
Some areas were expected to see almost a foot of snow — prompting much of the Blue Ridge Parkway to close.
This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 7:20 PM with the headline "Winds as strong as a tropical storm could roar through western NC, forecasters say."
