Spruce Pine, N.C. – Snow and damaging wind gusts are slamming the North Carolina mountains overnight, with conditions expected to worsen above 3,500 feet before daybreak and remain hazardous through Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until midnight Monday night for elevations above 3,500 feet in Mitchell County, including Spruce Pine. An additional 2 to 9 inches of snow is expected in those higher elevations, with wind gusts up to 60 mph. Below 3,500 feet, a Winter Weather Advisory calls for up to 5 inches of snow and gusts to 55 mph.
In Swain County, including the higher peaks of the Smokies, 3 to 7 inches is expected above 3,500 feet, with a foot or more possible on the highest summits. Valleys may see up to 1 inch. Wind chills could fall to 5 degrees below zero early Monday.
Haywood, Madison and Yancey counties remain under a Winter Weather Advisory for 1 to 3 inches in valleys and up to 4 inches along the Tennessee border.
Roads such as U.S. 19, U.S. 441 through the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Parkway may become impassable. Officials urge residents to delay travel, check 511 for road conditions and prepare for isolated power outages as strong winds persist through Monday night.
