Gatlinburg, Tennessee – Rain is quickly changing to snow across parts of east Tennessee and southwest Virginia Monday afternoon, setting up slick roads and hazardous travel through the evening commute and overnight hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Morristown, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 2 a.m. Tuesday for higher elevations of the Smoky Mountains and portions of southwest Virginia. Snow totals of 1 to 4 inches are expected, with up to 5 inches possible in the higher peaks and ridges. Wind gusts could reach 40 mph, increasing the risk of falling tree limbs and blowing snow.
The advisory includes mountain communities such as Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, Elkmont, and Unicoi, along with Wise and Norton in southwest Virginia. Roads through the Smokies, including sections of U.S. 441 through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, may become slick as temperatures fall and precipitation transitions to snow.
Another advisory affecting the Cumberland Plateau counties of Scott, Morgan, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, and Marion remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday, where up to 1 inch of snow could create slippery conditions during the evening commute near Dunlap, Jasper, and Pikeville.
Officials urge drivers to slow down and use caution, especially on elevated roadways and mountain passes. Conditions are expected to improve gradually after early Tuesday morning, though slick spots could linger overnight in higher elevations.
