By Jesse Wood
Dec. 26, 2012. The road are slick out there today for those of you heading back to work after the Christmas holidays.
A wind advisory is in effect today until 4 p.m. in the higher elevations in Watauga and Ashe counties. Gusts are expected to exceed 45 mph, which could affect driving and cause down trees and limbs.
A freezing rain advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. in Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany counties. A wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, snow and ice are all expected. Again, driving difficulties are expected.
The hazardous weather outlook includes the dates Wednesday through Tuesday. Today includes the wind and freezing rain advisory.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va., a strong low pressure system is moving into Kentucky today as a secondary low pressure system is forming in the Piedmont region of Virginia. With a high pressure system over Quebec and Ontario pinching the low pressure systems southwest, precipitation in the forms of sleet, freezing rain and snow will fall across the High Country.
After which, gusts of wind will likely increase to 55 mph, 60 mph and snow showers of couple inches along the west facing slopes are probable, too.
Another snow shower is possible from Saturday through Sunday with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation.
Hundreds of folks in the High Country and surrounding counties serviced by Blue Ridge Electric Member Corporation experienced power outages but has of 10 a.m. none exist in Watauga and Avery counties.
For more information on travel, call 511 on your mobile phone. 511 is North Carolina’s toll-free travel information line that provides travel updates over the phone.
Click here to view the National Weather Services’ advisories.
- Paul T. Choate contributed to this article.
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