Lewisburg, West Virginia – Mountain roads across the central Appalachians could become slick before sunrise Sunday as rain changes to snow and gusts up to 45 mph sweep across the higher elevations through Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 1 a.m. Sunday until 1 a.m. Tuesday for Bland, Giles and Bath counties in Virginia and Monroe and eastern Greenbrier counties in West Virginia. Farther south, Ashe and Watauga counties in North Carolina along with Grayson and Smyth counties in Virginia are under an advisory from midnight through midnight Monday night. Snow totals of up to 4 inches are expected in the highest elevations above 4,000 feet, with up to 3 inches elsewhere.
Colder air will deepen Sunday night as a coastal storm strengthens, allowing snow to persist along the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Highlands. Interstate 77 near Bland, U.S. 219 through Lewisburg and Route 460 near Pearisburg could see snow-covered stretches, especially during heavier bursts late Sunday into Monday.
Temperatures will fall into the teens Sunday night, sending wind chills into the single digits. Gusty winds may snap small tree limbs and create isolated outages.
Drivers should slow down, allow extra braking distance and check 511 for road updates. Advisories remain in effect into early Tuesday as snow lingers in the mountains.
