Boone, N.C. – Snow-covered mountain roads and wind chills near zero are creating dangerous travel conditions across the southern Appalachians early Monday, with up to 7 inches of additional snow in some communities before the storm winds down overnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until midnight Monday for Ashe and Watauga counties in North Carolina and Smyth and Grayson counties in Virginia, mainly above 3,500 feet. Another warning continues until 1 a.m. Tuesday for Western Greenbrier County in West Virginia and for Tazewell County, Virginia, along with Mercer and Summers counties in West Virginia.
Higher elevations near Beech Mountain, Mount Rogers and Whitetop could see up to 6 inches of additional snow, while lower elevations pick up 1 to 2 inches. Western Greenbrier may receive 5 to 7 inches. Winds will gust between 45 and 50 mph, producing blowing snow and visibility below a quarter mile at times. Temperatures falling into the teens will push wind chills close to zero.
Roads along U.S. 221, U.S. 421 and Interstate 77 near Bluefield are becoming slick, especially on bridges and overpasses. Officials urge residents to delay travel, check 511 for road updates and prepare for isolated power outages as strong winds stress trees and power lines. Warnings remain in effect through midnight or 1 a.m., with conditions gradually improving by Tuesday morning.
