The frigid air and associated snow and ice advisories mark a sharp shift into winter conditions across the mountains and valleys.
Winter Weather Advisories in Effect
The greatest impacts are expected at higher elevations, where a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Swain County until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Forecasters anticipate significant accumulations in this area, with 8 to 12 inches of snow likely.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued until 7 a.m. Tuesday for several other counties, including Avery, Graham, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, and Yancey. Residents in the valleys of these counties can expect accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, while elevations above 3,500 feet are likely to see 3 to 6 inches of snowfall.
Lower elevations, including the Asheville area, are likely to see only snow flurries and snow showers. Any accumulation in these areas is expected to be temporary, primarily on elevated and grassy surfaces, totaling less than one inch.
School and Agency Closings/Delays
Due to hazardous travel conditions and the incoming deep freeze, the following organizations have announced changes to their operating schedules:
All God's Children CEC: Open at 9 AM
Asheville City Schools: No buses on icy roads
Asheville PEAK Academy: Open at 7:30 AM
Avery County Schools: Remote Learning Day
Bent Creek Preschool of Steadfast Church: Open at 10 AM
Building Blocks Child Care Center: Open at 9 AM
Cashiers Valley Preschool: Two-Hour Delay
Enka School District: Two-Hour Delay - No buses on icy roads
Erwin School District: Two-Hour Delay - No buses on icy roads
French Broad River Academy: Two-Hour Delay - No buses on icy roads
Madison County Schools: Closed / Teacher Work Day
Madison County Senior Nutrition Meal Sites: Closed
Mayland Community College: Remote Learning Day / Optional Teacher Work Day
Mitchell County Schools: Remote Learning Day
Mountain Opportunity Center - Madison: Closed
Mountain Opportunity Center - Mitchell: Closed
North Buncombe School District: Two-Hour Delay - No buses on icy roads
Reynolds Mountain Christian Academy: Two-Hour Delay
SOLA School of Living Arts: Closed
Tri-County Christian School: Closed
Trinity of Fairview Academy: Two-Hour Delay
Trinity of Fairview Preschool: Two-Hour Delay
Verner - EHS Central: Two-Hour Delay
Yancey County Schools: Closed / Teacher Work Day
Deep Freeze Follows Winter Precipitation
Residents are urged to prepare for the coldest air of the season. Temperatures will plummet Monday night as a deep freeze settles over the entire region.
Mountain temperatures are forecast to drop into the teens and low 20s.
Low and mid-20s are likely across the foothills and the Upstate of South Carolina.
A Freeze Warning has been issued from 8 p.m. Monday until 9 a.m. Tuesday, specifically targeting areas in the North Carolina foothills, Upstate South Carolina, and northeastern Georgia that have not yet experienced their first hard freeze.
The good news for travelers and commuters is that the weather is expected to improve by Tuesday. Highs for Veterans Day should rebound into the mid-40s with plenty of sunshine. By Wednesday and Thursday, the unseasonably cold temperatures will be a memory, with highs climbing back into the 60s.