Winter storm moving into WNC Thursday into Friday

A storm system moving from the Deep South through the coastal plain of Georgia and South Carolina will spread precipitation into the region from late this evening through Friday morning before tapering off late Friday. Sufficient cold air will be in
place for mainly snow to fall across the mountains, with the exception of the lowest valleys of extreme southwest North Carolina. While precipitation is expected to initially fall as rain across the foothills and northwest Piedmont, cooling temperatures will support a transition to snow Friday morning, roughly along and north of I-40.

Heavy snow accumulations will be possible in these areas before the precipitation tapers off, or changes back to rain Friday afternoon. While rain and snow are expected to be the main precipitation types, a brief period of sleet or freezing rain will be possible, especially from the Blue Ridge escarpment through the northwest Piedmont, but any sleet or ice accumulations are expected to be minor.

Alexander-Buncombe-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson- Transylvania-Henderson-Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains- Including the cities of Bethlehem, Ellendale, Millersville, Taylorsville, Hiddenite, Stony Point, Asheville, Cullowhee, Tuckasegee, Sylva, Franklin, Rainbow Springs, Kyle, Highlands, Wolf Mountain, Cashiers, Brevard, Cedar Mountain, Little River, Hendersonville, Fletcher, Dana, East Flat Rock, Tuxedo, Etowah, Chimney Rock State Park, and Saluda
847 AM EST Thu Jan 7 2021

…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO
MIDNIGHT EST FRIDAY NIGHT…

* WHAT…Heavy wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to
5 inches, with locally higher amounts on eastern and southern
facing mountain slopes.

* WHERE…Much of the North Carolina mountains and Alexander
County in North Carolina.

* WHEN…From 7 PM this evening to midnight EST Friday night.

* IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous
conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Temperatures falling into the 20s on
Friday night will cause slippery road conditions to persist
well into the weekend following the storm.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.