‘Significant’ storm may dump nearly a foot of snow on parts of NC, officials say
Roads in the Great Smoky Mountains closed Sunday ahead of “significant winter weather,” officials say.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the eastern Tennessee mountains and areas of western North Carolina, including Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood, Graham, Ashe and Watauga counties, until 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
In North Carolina, the warning includes areas at 3,500 feet or higher, the NWS says, and areas at a lower elevation are under a winter weather advisory.
Areas in North Carolina under the winter storm warning could see heavy snow with accumulations up to 6 inches, according to the NWS, and some areas could see up to 11 inches of snow. Heavy snow is also expected in Tennessee, with accumulations between 4 and 9 inches possible and up to a foot in some areas, the NWS says.
Wind gusts could reach up to 45 mph in Tennessee and 50 mph in North Carolina, the NWS says.
The weather will impact commutes on Monday, the NWS says, and could make travel “very difficult to impossible” with blowing snow reducing visibility.
U.S. Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) closed at 5 p.m. Sunday between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina, ahead of the weather, the National Park Service says.
Foothills Parkway East at Cosby closed at 4 p.m. along with Foothills Parkway West from Walland to Wears Valley, the NPS says.
Cherokee Orchard Road above the Twin Creeks Science Center closed Monday “due to ice and snow,” the NPS says.
Additionally, “much of” the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed due to the storm, the NPS said on Facebook.
In North Carolina, the Parkway is closed between the state line and milepost 342, between mileposts 355 to 382, 392 to 402 and 411 to 469, the NPS says.
Travel is discouraged during a winter storm warning, the NWS says. If you have to travel, the NWS says to bring a flashlight, food and water in case of an emergency.
This story was originally published December 1, 2019 at 3:21 PM with the headline "‘Significant’ storm may dump nearly a foot of snow on parts of NC, officials say."
