BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Light snow and strong winds are spreading across the Appalachian highlands tonight, bringing slick mountain roads and low visibility from western Virginia into northwest North Carolina. Forecasters expect 1 to 3 inches of snow across higher elevations through early Tuesday, with gusts up to 45 mph adding to travel hazards.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 7 a.m. EST Tuesday for Tazewell, Smyth, and Bland Counties in Virginia, Mercer and Summers Counties in West Virginia, and Ashe, Watauga, and Grayson Counties across the North Carolina border.
Snowfall will be intermittent but occasionally heavy along the I-77 corridor near Bluefield and U.S. 421 and N.C. 105 near Boone, where blowing snow will reduce visibility. Roads at elevations above 2,500 feet are already slick, and winds could topple small branches and power lines in exposed ridges overnight.
Drivers are urged to slow down, avoid sudden stops, and allow extra time for morning travel. Officials advise delaying non-essential travel across U.S. 19, I-81 near Marion, and U.S. 221 near Jefferson until later Tuesday morning, when conditions will begin to improve as snow showers taper.
