ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Freezing fog greeted much of Western North Carolina on Sunday morning, and forecasters say a mix of rain and snow could follow early Monday as a weather disturbance moves across the region.
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg said an upper-level system is expected to bring light precipitation from late Sunday into Monday. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 1 a.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday for Avery County and areas above 3,500 feet in Yancey and Mitchell counties.
Forecasters expect 2 to 3.5 inches of snow above 3,500 feet in the northern mountains, with up to 4 inches possible on the highest peaks. Mountain valleys in Mitchell and Yancey counties may see a dusting to an inch of snow. Southern mountain areas above 3,500 feet are forecast to receive a few tenths of an inch up to 1.5 inches, while locations along the North Carolina/Tennessee line in the Smokies could see 1 to 2 inches, with isolated higher totals.
Elsewhere across the mountains and eastward into the foothills and Piedmont, temperatures are expected to remain above freezing, resulting in mostly cold rain. The Weather Service noted that brief bursts of snow could mix in along and north of Interstate 40 because of wet-bulb cooling or snow blowing downslope into valleys, though no significant accumulation is expected.
Precipitation is expected to begin after midnight, starting as a brief wintry mix in some areas before quickly shifting to snow at higher elevations and rain below 3,500 feet. Light snow is likely to continue at high elevations into Monday afternoon.
Forecasters say any rain on Monday may again mix with wet snow north of I-40 before tapering off later in the day. No major impacts are expected outside the higher terrain.
Forecast for the Asheville area
Rain is expected to move in late Sunday night, with a 40 percent chance of precipitation after 4 a.m. Patchy fog may develop after 3 a.m. as clouds increase. Overnight lows will fall to around 35 degrees, with less than a tenth of an inch of new precipitation expected.
On Monday, rain and snow are likely early before changing to all rain by midmorning. Patchy fog may linger until about 1 p.m. The high will be near 40 with light northeast winds in the afternoon. Little to no snow accumulation is expected.
Monday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 26. Winds will shift to the north at about 5 mph before becoming calm.
Tuesday will be mostly sunny with a high near 47 and light southerly winds. Skies will remain mostly clear Tuesday night, with lows around 29.
Wednesday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 57, followed by mostly cloudy conditions Wednesday night and a low near 32.
Thursday will be partly sunny with a high near 50. A chance of rain returns Thursday night, mixing with snow after 4 a.m. Lows will be around 31, with a 40 percent chance of precipitation.
On Friday, there is a 30 percent chance of snow before 7 a.m., followed by mostly sunny skies and a high near 46. Friday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 16.