Asheville, NC – The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a Freeze Warning for the North Carolina mountains, including Asheville, Franklin, Sylva, Bryson City, Burnsville, and Newland, effective from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT Friday.
Forecasters say temperatures could fall as low as 25°F in some higher-elevation areas, with widespread frost and freeze conditions likely across mountain valleys and ridges. The warning covers Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon, Swain, Madison, and adjacent mountain counties.
According to the NWS, the cold may kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and damage outdoor plumbing if not properly protected. Residents are urged to drain sprinkler systems, remove garden hoses, and cover exposed pipes before temperatures drop overnight.
This freeze marks the coldest night of the season so far for the western North Carolina mountains and will likely bring an end to the growing season in several areas. Skies will clear by Friday afternoon, with slightly warmer conditions returning for the weekend.
