Waynesville, North Carolina – Snow and 55 mph wind gusts will sweep across western North Carolina’s mountains through Monday night, making higher elevation roads impassable and pushing wind chills down to 5 degrees below zero by early Monday morning. Travel along U.S. 19, U.S. 441 and mountain secondary roads could deteriorate quickly after sunset.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until midnight Monday night for Haywood, Madison and Yancey counties, where valley snowfall totals will range from 1 to 3 inches, with up to 5 inches in higher elevations near the Tennessee border. In Mitchell County, a Winter Storm Warning continues above 3,500 feet with 1 to 11 inches possible, while lower elevations remain under an advisory with up to 6 inches. Swain County above 3,500 feet could see 3 to 7 inches, with more than a foot possible on the highest Smoky Mountain peaks.
Strong winds along exposed ridges may down tree limbs and cause isolated power outages from Burnsville to Spruce Pine and Cherokee. The heaviest snowfall and strongest winds are expected overnight into Monday, impacting both the morning and evening commutes.
Officials urge residents to delay non-essential travel, monitor updates and check 511 for road conditions. Snow and gusty winds will persist through Monday night before gradually easing after midnight.
