ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — After the rain comes the snow. A line of severe thunderstorms moved out of Western North Carolina late Monday morning, but forecasters warn the storm system will bring another round of hazardous weather as rain changes to snow in the mountains later in the day.
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a winter weather advisory from 1 p.m. Monday to 3 a.m. Tuesday for elevations above 3,500 feet in several North Carolina mountain counties along the Tennessee border, including Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood and Graham.
Forecasters say snow accumulations could reach up to 3 inches in those areas, with higher totals possible above 5,000 feet. Some of the highest elevations of the Smoky Mountains could see up to 8 inches of snow. Lower elevations may see only a dusting to about an inch.
The precipitation is expected to transition from rain to snow during the afternoon as colder air moves into the region behind a cold front.
The snow, combined with strong winds, could create hazardous travel conditions during the Monday evening commute, especially in higher elevations. Wind gusts could reach as high as 55 mph in the mountains, with gusts of 35 to 40 mph possible in lower elevations, including parts of the Asheville area.
Meteorologists say snowfall rates could briefly become heavy late Monday afternoon as the rain-to-snow transition occurs, potentially producing quick accumulations on roadways despite relatively warm ground temperatures.
Strong northwest winds developing behind the front could also lead to blowing snow, downed tree limbs and scattered power outages.
The earlier severe weather threat ended late Monday morning as the line of thunderstorms moved east of the region and the severe thunderstorm watch was canceled.
Cold temperatures are expected to follow the storm system. Overnight lows could drop to around 20 degrees Tuesday morning, with wind chills potentially falling below zero in higher elevations. High temperatures Tuesday are forecast to remain 15 to 20 degrees below normal.
Forecasters say the cold air mass could keep freezing temperatures in place through Wednesday night before warmer and mostly dry conditions return later in the week.