Snowstorm sweeps across much of western North Carolina, with snowfall totals for Asheville, Hendersonville, Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina residents are bracing for a winter storm this week that has swept through much of the region, leaving a trail of ice and snow. The Winter Storm Warning has been extended from 7 a.m. Saturday, January 11, to noon Saturday.
National Weather Service meteorologists told Citizen Times that some snow showers were still affecting areas near the Tennessee border, but as of the morning of January 11, the storm had left Asheville and surrounding areas.
Here’s what we know about its impact.
black ice warning
At 3:57 a.m. on January 11, the National Weather Service issued an alert warning of “slippery roads and areas of black ice” in Buncombe County and many other counties in the northwest. Even as the weather warms, bridges and shelters can still be hazardous locations. The highest temperature on January 11 was 32 degrees. Temperatures will be warmer on Sunday, January 12, with a maximum of 42 degrees and sunny skies.
How much snow does it snow in Asheville, North Carolina?
Asheville received a total of about 1.5-2 inches of snow and sleet during the storm. The same is true for many nearby areas, including Montenegro and Swannanoa. Those numbers are consistent with National Weather Service forecasts.
More: Asheville Traffic Cameras: See conditions and snow accumulation across western North Carolina city
How much snow did it snow in Hendersonville, NC?
NWS meteorologist Chris Horne said Hendersonville’s snowfall amounts were similar to Asheville’s.
“Parts of the southwest side of Hendersonville have a few totals that are slightly higher. We’re seeing closer to two and a half inches, but about the same.”
After the snowfall on January 10, friends Li and Max from Guangzhou prepared to go sledding.
Power outage in Asheville, western North Carolina?
National Weather Service meteorologists warned of possible power outages during the storm. Trees were weakened by Helen’s impact and weighed down by snow and ice, which was a major problem as branches could fall and damage power lines.
Fortunately for WNC residents, there have not yet been widespread power outages as of the morning of January 11th.
More: Western North Carolina snowstorm eases, ski areas open: Where to go
WNC highest snowfall
Horn told the Citizen Times that after the storm, the NWS measured the highest snow accumulation in WNC at 4-4.5 inches. These amounts are primarily reported in Mitchell and Avery counties. He added that there may be higher undocumented levels at higher altitudes.
“Some of the highest mountains, like Swain County and the Smoky Mountains, or parts of Haywood County in the Balsamic Mountains, the totals there are definitely pretty high,” Horn said.
Monday morning commute
Horn said road conditions for Monday morning’s commute are still up in the air and may vary by region.
“The sun will come out again tomorrow,” Horn said. “Between those two days and the possible melt, there may be a secondary road in the shade that may still have a patch of ice on it, but that’s quite speculative and hard to say for sure.”
Iris Seaton is a popular news reporter for the Asheville Citizen-Times, a USA TODAY Network affiliate. Contact her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared in the Asheville Citizen-Times: How much snow did it snow in Asheville in western North Carolina? blizzard update
