ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Snow and strong winds continued to affect the North Carolina mountains early Thursday, prompting widespread road closures on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as cold temperatures and lingering snow showers persisted along the Tennessee border.

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg said occasional snow would continue through late morning, with another 1 to 2 inches possible in higher elevations. Untreated secondary roads are expected to remain slick through tonight as temperatures stay well below normal.

A Wind Advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday for elevations above 3,500 feet in several western counties, including Buncombe, Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Graham, Macon and Transylvania.

A Winter Weather Advisory also continues until 10 a.m. for Avery County and for elevations above 3,500 feet in Madison, Yancey and Mitchell counties.

Forecasters said temperatures dropped into the 20s across the mountains overnight, with highs Thursday expected to reach only the upper 30s to lower 40s. Wind gusts remain strongest along the higher ridges and northern mountains.

Most accumulating snow was expected to taper off around sunrise, though isolated totals of more than 4 inches were possible along the northern Blue Ridge.

Conditions are forecast to moderate Saturday before another arctic front moves in early Sunday, bringing a fresh surge of cold, dry air to start next week.

Blue Ridge Parkway closures

Winter weather has forced the closure of long sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway in and around Asheville, including:

  • NC 128 to south of the Craggy Gardens Tunnel (Mileposts 355.3-364.5)
  • Craggy Gardens to Bull Gap (MP 364.5-375.7)
  • Bull Gap to the Folk Art Center (MP 375.7-381.9)
  • Park Headquarters to I-40 (MP 384.1-384.7)
  • I-40 to NC 191/Brevard Road (MP 384.7-393.6)
  • NC 191 to Stoney Bald (MP 393.6-402.7)
  • Stoney Bald to NC 151 (MP 402.7-405.5)
  • Elk Pasture Gap to Pisgah Store (MP 405.5-408.8)
  • Pisgah Store to U.S. 276 (MP 408.8-411.9)
  • U.S. 276 to Balsam Gap (MP 411.9-423.2)
  • Balsam Gap to Soco Gap (MP 443-455.7)
  • Soco Gap to U.S. 441 through Great Smoky Mountains National Park (MP 455.7-469.1)

Mount Mitchell State Park is also closed because of winter weather. Recreation is permitted at visitors’ own risk in some ungated sections.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park closures

The park has also closed multiple roads because of winter weather:

  • Foothills Parkway West
  • Gatlinburg Bypass
  • U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Cherokee, N.C.

Seasonal closures remain in effect for Kuwohi Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Little Greenbrier Road, Heintooga Ridge Road, Parson Branch Road and Rich Mountain Road.

Travelers are urged to check the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park websites for the latest road status updates.