Weather
Tennessee Weather Alert: 4+ Inches of Snow Friday, Nov 13-14
Gatlinburg, TN – Snow could blanket the highest elevations of the Smoky Mountains with 4 inches or more Friday into Saturday, bringing winter driving hazards to some of East Tennessee's most traveled
By Marcus Hale · 2026-11-12T20:31:01.260Z
Gatlinburg, TN – Snow could blanket the highest elevations of the Smoky Mountains with 4 inches or more Friday into Saturday, bringing winter driving hazards to some of East Tennessee's most traveled mountain routes.
According to the National Weather Service in Morristown, an extended Winter Weather Advisory takes effect at 10 a.m. EST Friday, November 13, and continues until 1 p.m. Saturday, November 14.
The advisory covers elevations above 3,000 feet across portions of the southern Appalachian Mountains in Tennessee.
Forecasters expect snowfall accumulations up to 4 inches, with locally higher totals possible across the highest mountain peaks.
Smoky Mountains Could See 4 Inches or More The approaching weather system marks another significant step toward winter across the southern Appalachians.
Snow is expected to develop Friday at higher elevations, where colder temperatures will support accumulation.
Affected mountain areas include portions of Sevier, Blount, Cocke, Carter, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi and Monroe counties.
The advisory specifically targets elevations above 3,000 feet, meaning conditions could vary dramatically between mountain communities and nearby valleys.
Visitors traveling from lower elevations into the mountains could encounter rain or wet pavement before reaching accumulating snow farther uphill.
The National Weather Service warns that the highest peaks could receive more than 4 inches.
However, those locally higher amounts are not expected uniformly throughout the advisory area.
Four Mountain Highways Face Winter Travel Hazards The greatest concern involves several major routes crossing the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Forecasters specifically identify Interstate 26 at Sam's Gap, U.S. 441 at Newfound Gap, U.S. 421 at Trade Gap and Tennessee Highway 165 at Beech Gap along the Cherohala Skyway.
These roads climb through elevations where snow accumulation could create slippery travel conditions.
The National Weather Service expects hazardous conditions to affect the Friday evening commute.
Drivers should prepare for changing visibility, wet snow and potentially slick pavement.
Conditions may deteriorate quickly as vehicles climb into colder mountain air.
Motorists should reduce speed, increase following distances and monitor road conditions before attempting higher elevation travel.
First Mountain Snow Signals Colder November Pattern The mountain snow threat comes as a broader cold air mass spreads across the eastern United States.
The NOAA Weather Prediction Center expects colder air to wrap around a developing storm system, producing wet snow in portions of the central and southern Appalachians Friday night into Saturday morning.
Some mountain communities could experience their first snowflakes of the season.
For visitors planning weekend trips to the Smokies, elevation will be the deciding factor.
Lower elevation destinations are not included in the advisory solely because nearby mountain peaks face accumulating snow.
Travelers should check conditions before heading toward Newfound Gap or other high mountain crossings.