Greenville, South Carolina – A potentially crippling winter storm is expected to impact a large portion of the southern Appalachians and surrounding Piedmont beginning Saturday morning, with snow, sleet, and heavy ice raising serious concerns for travel and long-lasting power outages through Monday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for much of Upstate South Carolina, western North Carolina, and northeast Georgia. Confidence is increasing in a prolonged period of mixed winter precipitation, with snow and sleet accumulations of 1 to 3 inches possible and ice accretion ranging from one-half to one inch in the hardest-hit areas.
The highest ice totals are expected across the mountains of western North Carolina, northeast Georgia, and the South Carolina Upstate, while higher snow and sleet amounts are more likely north of Interstate 40. Communities including Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville, Hendersonville, Boone, Brevard, Anderson, Clemson, Franklin, and Clayton could see roads become treacherous or impassable as ice builds on top of snow.
Officials warn that the weight of ice on trees and power lines may lead to widespread outages that could last for days in some locations. Travel may become extremely dangerous, especially across mountain roads and elevated surfaces. Residents are urged to complete preparations early, avoid non-essential travel, and monitor updates closely as watches may be upgraded and impacts could extend into the Monday morning commute.
