Winter Storm Warning Issued for Western North Carolina

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A winter storm warning has been issued for Western North Carolina as a significant snowstorm is expected to hit the region starting Friday afternoon, Jan. 10, 2025. The storm, which has already impacted areas from New Mexico to Mississippi, is forecast to bring heavy snow and icy conditions to the Asheville area.

Asheville Public Works crews are preparing for the storm by pretreating roads with a brine solution to delay ice formation. Chad Bandy, Asheville Street Division Manager, stated that crews have 3,000 tons of salt and 30 trucks equipped with plows and spreaders ready for deployment. “We’ll have around 60 people working around the clock,” Bandy said. “This is the first significant event for some of our new drivers.”

The storm is expected to begin with light snowflakes in the western counties by early afternoon, spreading across the region by evening. Snow accumulations of 2 to 3 inches are anticipated in most areas, with higher totals possible in the mountains and foothills. A mix of freezing rain and sleet may also occur overnight, particularly south and east of I-85.

Travel is expected to be treacherous Friday evening through Saturday morning, with icy roads and reduced visibility. Officials are urging residents to stay home if possible and to park vehicles in driveways to allow snowplows room to operate. The storm is expected to wind down by sunrise Saturday, with sunny and dry conditions returning early next week.

This winter storm comes as Asheville continues to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage to the area three months ago. Debris from the hurricane may complicate snow removal efforts and hinder drainage as the snow melts.