Morristown, Tennessee – Slick roads and wind chills near zero will continue across far northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia through midnight, creating hazardous travel for the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Morristown, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until midnight EST tonight for Wise, Russell, Washington, Lee and Scott counties in Virginia, along with Johnson County and the Smoky Mountain counties of east Tennessee. Most areas have already picked up 1 to 4 inches of snow, with up to 6 inches reported across the highest Smoky Mountain peaks. An additional half inch to 1 inch remains possible before snow showers taper late tonight.
Snow and ice are covering secondary roads in communities including Wise, Norton, Abingdon, Bristol, Mountain City, Gatlinburg and Erwin. Northwest winds gusting to 30 mph in the mountains will push wind chills between 5 above and 5 below zero, while also increasing the risk of downed tree limbs on exposed ridges.
Drivers should reduce speed, watch for black ice on bridges and untreated roads, and use caution on sidewalks and steps. Conditions will gradually improve after midnight, but icy patches could linger into early Tuesday morning.
