4-inches of snow, 50 mph gusts, 15-degree lows forecast in parts of NC mountains
The impact of a cold front on North Carolina’s higher elevations continues to worsen, with forecasters calling for more snow, lower temperatures and more powerful wind gusts. Forecasters initially expected “the season’s first snow” would be no more than an inch along the NC-Tennessee state line, but it’s now suspected up to 4 inches could fall in areas like northern Swain County. “If moisture ends up lingering longer over these areas, they can expect an uptick in snow amounts,” the National Weather Service says. The bigger concern will be the bitter cold and wind gusts starting Thursday night, forecasters say. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible along ridge tops Friday and Saturday, resulting in very cold wind chills when “parts of the mountains will drop into the 12 to 20F degree range,” the NWS says. Temperatures could feel as low as 10 degrees west of Boone, making frostbite and hypothermia possible for those who venture out with exposed skin, forecasters say. “Highs from Friday through early next week are also expected to remain below normal for mid-November,” NWS forecasters say. The cold front will stretch from one end of the state to the other on Sunday, with lows
