A coating of ice is transforming the Appalachian landscape this morning — beautiful from a distance but dangerous on the roads. Branches glisten under the streetlights, windshields are sealed in thin glassy layers, and power lines hum under the strain. The National Weather Service warns that freezing rain will continue through midday across the southern and central Appalachians, making travel treacherous from western North Carolina to eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia.
Total ice accretion between 0.1 and 0.2 inches is expected, enough to cause slick conditions on untreated roads, driveways, and elevated surfaces. Motorists should use extreme caution, especially along I-77, I-64, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, where temperatures are hovering near freezing and road surfaces are already glazing over.
Meteorologists say the storm system responsible for this icing is racing up the East Coast, deepening as it moves northward. Cold air trapped in mountain valleys is allowing freezing rain to persist longer than in surrounding lowlands, delaying improvement until late afternoon.
By this evening, precipitation will taper to drizzle or light snow in higher elevations. Still, refreezing after dark will likely create black ice hazards on bridges and secondary routes. Tree limbs may snap under the combined weight of ice and gusty winds, raising the risk of localized power outages through tonight.
Behind the storm, cold air will pour back into the region with lows in the 20s and lingering slick spots Wednesday morning. Travelers should plan for slow commutes and avoid unnecessary travel until road crews can treat major routes.
How are conditions on your mountain roads today? Share updates from your community as the Appalachians endure their first major December ice event of the season.
