The winter storm Western North Carolina residents prepared for this week has passed most of the region, leaving behind snow and ice. A winter storm warning was extended from 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, to noon Saturday.
National Weather Service meteorologists told the Citizen Times that there are still some snow showers affecting areas near the Tennessee border, but the storm has left Asheville and surrounding areas as of the morning of Jan. 11.
Here’s what we know about its effects.
Black ice warning
An alert issued by the NWS at 3:57 a.m. Jan. 11 warned of “slick roads and areas of black ice” in Buncombe County and a large number of other WNC counties. Bridges and sheltered locations may still be hazardous spots, even as weather warms. The high temperature for Jan. 11 is 32 degrees. Temperatures Sunday, Jan. 12, will be warmer, with a high of 42 degrees and sunny weather.
How much snow did Asheville, NC get?
In total, Asheville got around 1.5-2 inches of snow and sleet during the storm. The same goes for many nearby areas, including Black Mountain and Swannanoa. These numbers line up with NWS predictions.
More: Asheville traffic cameras: See conditions, snow accumulations across the city, Western NC
How much snow did Hendersonville, NC get?
NWS Meteorologist Chris Horne said that snowfall in Hendersonville was similar to Asheville.
“There were a couple totals that were a little higher in parts of the southwest side of Hendersonville. We had an observation close to two and a half inches, but it was roughly the same.”
Friends Lee and Max, of Canton, prepare to go sledding after the Jan. 10 snowfall.
Power outages in Asheville, Western NC?
NWS meteorologists warned of potential outages during the storm. Trees weakened by Helene and weighed down by snow and ice was a primary concern, as branches could fall and damage power lines.
Luckily for WNC residents, there have been no widespread power outages as of the morning of Jan. 11.
More: Western North Carolina snowstorm eases, and ski areas are open: Where to go
Highest snowfall totals in WNC
Horne told the Citizen Times that 4-4.5 inches of snow accumulation was the highest amount measured by the NWS in WNC after the storm. These amounts were primarily reported in Mitchell and Avery Counties. He added that there may be unrecorded higher amounts in higher elevations.
“Some of the highest mountains, like maybe in Swain County and the Smokies or parts of Haywood County in the Balsams, it’s definitely feasible that there could be some pretty high totals up there,” Horne said.
Monday morning commute
The status of roads for the Monday morning commute is still up in the air, according to Horne, and may vary based on area.
“Tomorrow the sun will be back out again,” Horne said. “Between the two days and what melting may occur, it’s feasible that there could be a secondary road in the shade that might still have a patch of ice on it, but pretty speculative, it’s hard to say for sure.”
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: How much snow did Western NC, Asheville get? Snowstorm update
