1000 x 90

Featured Photo: The High Country Transforms Into a Winter Wonderland as Snow Accumulates This Afternoon

by Madison V. Fisler
Photos by Ken Ketchie

Jan. 21, 2013. As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, the High Country is transforming into a winter wonderland with snow accumulations predicted ranging from two inches in the Boone and Blowing Rock area to six and seven inches in the higher elevations. 

Snow began to fall mid-morning, around 10 a.m. in most places in the High Country. 

A winter weather advisory is still in effect for Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties with significant snowfall accumulations expected into this evening, according to raysweather.com. 

Boone is currently 28 degrees, and is expected to get even colder as the evening draws closer. Boone residents can expect the temperatures to continue to fall into the lower single digits by tonight. Blowing Rock is currently 29 degrees with similar temperatures to Boone expected through the night. 

Beech Mountain is experiencing moderate accumulation, and is expecting temperatures to fall into the single digits by 5 p.m.

Valle Crucis is enjoying a relatively warm 35 degrees at the moment, with moderate snow expected throughout the afternoon and into the evening. 

Road conditions on the main roadways in Boone remain clear, but snow is beginning to accumulate on the side roads, so use caution when navigating through the area and be on the lookout for patches of ice as temperatures continue to fall. 

Schools across the counties were closed today in anticipation of the cold and snowy weather. Even Appalachian State University canceled classes beginning at 3:30 p.m. and later due to the snow, and events at the university were canceled or postponed due to concerns about travel safety.

Check out our photos of the winter wonderland captured this afternoon between 2 and 3:30 p.m. 

It is getting a little bit white out off of Poplar Grove Road.
It is getting a little bit white out off of Poplar Grove Road.

 

Poplar Grove Road is becoming a winter wonderland
This side road off of Poplar Grove Road is becoming a winter wonderland

 

Many residents are shoveling show already
Many residents are shoveling show already

 

Snow accumulations continue on Russ Cornette Road.
Snow accumulations continue on Russ Cornette Road.