Asheville, NC – The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the North Carolina mountains, effective from 7 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday.
The advisory applies to elevations above 3,500 feet in Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Buncombe, and Madison Counties, including communities such as Cashiers and Faust.
Forecasters expect a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, leading to up to half an inch of snow and two-tenths of an inch of ice. The combination is likely to make mountain roads slick or impassable overnight, especially on higher passes and secondary routes.
According to the Weather Service, the weight of ice and wet snow could also cause isolated power outages as tree limbs and power lines accumulate ice. The most dangerous travel conditions are expected early Friday morning before temperatures rise later in the day.
Drivers are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, especially on steep or untreated mountain roads. Those who must drive should slow down, use caution, and check 511 for the latest road updates.
