Boone, North Carolina – Drivers crossing mountain passes in northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia could lose visibility to less than a quarter mile within minutes as heavy snow and 50 mph wind gusts slam elevations above 3,500 feet through midnight Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, a strengthening coastal storm moving north from Cape Hatteras will continue to funnel moisture and wind into Ashe and Watauga counties in North Carolina and Grayson and Smyth counties in Virginia. Snow totals range up to 3 inches in lower elevations, but 5 to 12 inches are expected above 3,500 feet, including Beech Mountain, Mount Rogers and Flattop Mountain.
Roads, bridges and overpasses will ice over quickly as temperatures drop into the teens Sunday night. Wind chills are expected to hover near zero late Sunday night into Monday. Blowing snow may reduce visibility below 1/4 mile at times, creating sudden whiteout conditions along U.S. 221, U.S. 421 and sections of Interstate 77 near the Virginia line.
Strong wind gusts could snap tree limbs and trigger isolated power outages, especially along exposed ridgelines. The worst travel impacts are likely during the Monday morning and evening commutes.
Officials urge residents to delay travel. If driving is unavoidable, carry food, water, blankets and a charged phone, and check 511 for the latest road conditions. The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through midnight Monday night, and additional advisories may follow if conditions worsen.
