Boone, North Carolina – Mountain roads above 3,500 feet in the North Carolina High Country and southwest Virginia could turn snow-packed and dangerous through Monday night as up to 12 inches of snow and 50 mph wind gusts batter the peaks.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until midnight Monday night for Ashe and Watauga counties in North Carolina and Grayson and Smyth counties in Virginia. Lower elevations may see up to 3 inches, while higher ridges including Beech Mountain, Mount Rogers and Flattop Mountain could pick up 5 to 12 inches.
Blowing snow may reduce visibility below a quarter mile at times, especially along U.S. 421 near Boone and Route 58 through Grayson County. Bridges and overpasses are likely to freeze first as temperatures drop into the teens tonight. Wind chills could approach zero late tonight into Monday morning.
Gusty winds may snap tree limbs and cause isolated power outages along exposed ridgelines. Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate during the Monday morning and evening commutes.
Officials urge residents to delay travel if possible. If you must drive, carry extra food, water and a flashlight, and check 511 for updated road conditions.
Snow and strong winds will gradually ease after midnight Monday night, but icy patches may linger into early Tuesday.
