Heavy snow forecast Jan. 19 for parts of Western NC, dangerous cold expected overnight

Heavy snow, wintry mix, bitter cold, whipping winds: Winter indeed has its grip on Western North Carolina.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning that includes heavy snow for parts of WNC. Other areas, including Buncombe County, are under a Winter Storm Advisory. And the entire area is under an Extreme Cold Warning or Cold Weather Advisory with wind chills below zero expected.

Here’s what to know about the warnings and advisories, how much snow is in the forecast and how cold it will get.

Winter Storm Warning: Where will heavy snow fall in Western NC?

Many N.C. counties bordering Tennessee are under a Winter Storm Warning through 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20.

The NWS says Avery County could get as much as 6 inches of heavy snow.

In Haywood, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey counties, heavy snow totaling 4-8 inches is expected near the Tennessee border, while valley locations will get 1-3 inches of snow, the NWS says.

Areas above 3,500 feet in Swain and Graham counties can expect 3-6 inches of snow, with 8-12 inches at elevations above 5,000 feet in the Smokies. Winds may gust as high as 40 mph.

Impacts in all of those areas will be significant.

“The snowfall will create slippery and snow covered roadways,” the NWS says. “The heavy snow will make many roads impassable and may produce widespread power outages due to the weight of the snow on tree limbs and power lines. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.”

In Watauga County, meanwhile, heavy mixed precipitation is expected, according to the NWS. Snow accumulation up to 4 inches is forecast, along with ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds will gust as high as 45 mph. The NWS advises people to delay all travel if possible, but if one must drive, exercise extreme caution.

Winter Weather Advisory: Some snow expected elsewhere in Western NC

When the NWS issues a Winter Weather Advisory, it means that periods of snow, sleet, or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

As with the Winter Storm Warning, the advisory is in place until 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20.

In Buncombe County, snow accumulation of up to 4 inches is expected above 3,500 feet, with winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

In areas of Swain and Graham counties below 3,500 feet, the NWS says 2-3 inches of snow is possible with isolated spots seeing up to 4 inches. Winds will gust as high as 35 mph.

Also, up to an inch of snow is in the forecast for northern Jackson County, with chances of up to 2 inches. Wind gusts are expected to be 35 mph.

Bitter, dangerous cold across Western NC into MLK Jr. Day

While snow falls in parts of the region, all of WNC will be in the throes of extreme cold settling in after midnight Sunday, Jan. 19. Most of the warnings and advisories will be in effect from 12 a.m.-noon Monday, Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The NWS is calling for lows Sunday night/Monday morning in the single digits across the region. Wind chills will be a major concern. At elevations above 3,500 feet, wind chills as low as minus 22 are forecast. In areas below 3,500 feet, wind chills of 5 below zero to 14 below zero are expected.

The NWS advises that these dangerously cold wind chills “could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. Pets and livestock will be endangered by extreme cold if left unprotected for extended periods.”

If you must go outside during these conditions, the NWS says you should dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves.

How to access Code Purple shelter

When temperatures fall below freezing, a Code Purple is called, activating extra shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness.

For men:

• Location: ABCCM, 20 20th St.

• Intake hours: 4-8 p.m. on days Code Purple is called. Guests typically must leave by 7:30 a.m.

• Transit route: WE2 Bear Creek Road stop.

For women and children:

• Location: ABCCM’s Transformation Village, 30 Olin Haven Way.

• Population: Single women and women with children

• Hours: 4-8 p.m. on days Code Purple is called. Guests typically must leave by 7:30 a.m.

For families (referral required):

• Location: Safe Shelter, 587 Haywood Road.

• Hours: Intake at 6 p.m. Guests must leave by 7:30 a.m.

• Transit route: W1, W2, W6

Asheville forecast

From the NWS, a chance of more snow Tuesday, Jan. 21:

• Sunday, Jan. 19: Scattered rain and snow showers before 4 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 32 by 5 p.m. Wind 10-18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

• Sunday night: Isolated snow showers before 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as minus 5. Blustery, with winds 16-20 mph and gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

• Monday, Jan. 20, MLK Jr. Day: Sunny, with a high near 21. Wind chill values as low as minus 10. Northwest wind 11-16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

• Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 9, wind 3-7 mph.

• Tuesday, Jan. 21: 30% chance of snow, mainly between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 27. Light and variable wind becoming 5-7 mph in the afternoon.

• Tuesday Night: 20% chance of snow before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7.

• Wednesday, Jan. 22: Sunny, with a high near 30.

• Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12.

• Thursday, Jan. 23: Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

Hendersonville forecast

From the NWS, a chance of snow Tuesday, Jan. 21:

• Sunday, Jan. 19: Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 34 by 5 p.m. Winds 11-18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

• Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as minus 1. Winds 15-17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

• Monday, Jan. 20. MLK Jr. Day: Sunny, with a high near 24. Wind chill values as low as minus 6. Winds 11-15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

• Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 11, winds 3-8 mph.

• Tuesday, Jan. 21: 30% chance of snow, mainly after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 28. Wind around 6 mph.

• Tuesday Night: 20% chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.

• Wednesday, Jan. 22: Sunny, with a high near 30.

• Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 13.

• Thursday, Jan. 23: Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

Sarah Honosky, Citizen Times, contributed.

Todd Runkle is the Carolinas Connect editor and also a trending news editor for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trunkle@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Western NC forecast: heavy snow, dangerous wind chills