Weather

April 19, 2021 Warmer spring temperatures will not be in the forecast this week as they have previously for the High Country. Cold weather is forecasted to take over on Tuesday night, bringing a chance of snow at higher elevations on Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday will be the nicest day of the week with a high around 60 and some sunshine. After that, however, a cold, wintery feel is back in the forecast. According to the latest forecast from Ray’s Weather Center, the low will drop to 40 on Tuesday night with some light rain moving into the area overnight. On Wednesday, temperatures will drop throughout the day, as lingering rain showers may turn to snow showers during the afternoon. The low temperature is expected to drop into the 20s for Wednesday and Thursday nights with highs in the mid to upper 40s.  By Harley Nefe

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October 29, 2020  Watauga County has been issued a Tropical Storm Warning and Flash Flood Warning from the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Virginia, as Tropical Storm Zeta moves from North Georgia northeastward through East Tennessee this morning. The Tropical Storm Warning will remain in effect until further notice, and the Boone and Blowing Rock locations are affected. The Flash Flood Warning will remain in effect today, Oct. 29, until 2:45 p.m. Tropical Storm Zeta is moving quickly northeast, and rain will taper to light showers by this afternoon. Since 12 a.m. Oct. 29, Boone has received 2.29″ of rain, and Blowing Rock has received 3.40″. By Harley Nefe

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December 30, 2019. So far it has been a very mild winter in the High Country with the warmest temperatures of December being recorded just last week. According to David Still at Ray’s Weather Center, temperatures flirted with record highs last week but came up just a bit shy. The record for Christmas Eve in Boone is 63 degrees. Last week, the high on Christmas Eve reached 61 degrees. The warmest Christmas on record was at 62 degrees and the temperature just missed tying that record coming in at 61 degrees. Last week’s temperatures fell well short of the all-time December high record in Boone which was 73 degrees in 1939. The average high for this time of year in Boone is 45 degrees and the average low is 26 degrees. Temperatures have been well above those averages for seven straight days.  By Nathan Ham

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March 4, 2019 Unfortunately for the early flowers that sprouted up over the last couple of weeks of warmer weather, this week looks like nothing but cold weather with snow and rain showing up at the end of the week. High Country residents were greeted with snow flurries and temperatures in the 20s on Monday morning, an ominous start to the week for those that are ready for spring temperatures. Monday’s forecast from Ray’s Weather Center expects it to be a chilly week. By Nathan Ham

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March 1, 2019 We are 19 days from the first day of spring, but with temperatures in the 50s and more rain showers happening to close out the workweek, it might feel like spring is already here. For those that want another burst of cold air, next week will provide weather more fitting of the winter season. According to the upcoming weather forecast from Ray’s Weather Center, Saturday looks to be a nice day with a mix of sun and clouds and high temperatures reaching into the lower 50s. Rain returns to the forecast on Sundays and temperatures will begin dropping throughout the day before bottoming out in the upper 20s with rain changing to some snow flurries late. Monday and Tuesday with have highs barely getting to freezing and low temperatures hanging around in the teens. The story remains the same for Wednesday and Thursday with high temperatures in the 30s and lows in the 20s. Snow flurries or snow showers are in the forecast for Monday through Thursday. By Nathan Ham

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February 18, 2019 A wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to cover the High Country on Tuesday and Wednesday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning from 6 p.m. Tuesday until 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The NWS alert says that heavy mixed precipitation is expected through southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina, starting late Tuesday afternoon and continuing through most of the day on Wednesday. This is not expected to be a big snow even with just an inch or two of accumulation, however the icing hazard is the main issue with this storm. Ice accumulations up to two tenths of an inch are possible, which will make travel conditions hazardous and increase the chances of tree damage or power outages for downs trees and power lines. By Nathan Ham

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November 14, 2018. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties through Thursday afternoon as the first winter storm rolls through the area on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. A wintry mix is expected to begin late this afternoon and this evening. The biggest threat from this storm will be the sleet and ice potential. According to the National Weather Service, sleet accumulations could reach as much as two inches and ice accumulations reaching a half-inch. There may be some snow mixing in with this storm, however ice will be the biggest factor overnight. Wind speeds will also pick up with this storm. Wind gusts between 20-35 MPH could bring down trees and power lines that may be covered in ice. By Nathan Ham

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March 27, 2018. Spring rolled into the High Country last week, bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain to all parts of the area, leaving a little over six inches of snow in Boone. Other areas, such as Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain, received upwards of eight inches of snow during the off-and-on winter precipitation last week. Saturday’s wintry mix forced the postponement of several events in Boone, including the High Country Grizzlies game and the Banff Film Festival. Saturday’s events for the Banff Film Festival have been rescheduled for Tuesday evening. There has been no announcement from the Grizzlies about rescheduling their game. By Nathan Ham

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Oct. 30, 2017. The High Country received its first snow of the 2017-18 winter season on Sunday. Higher elevations, such as Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain, saw an inch of snow, according to RaysWeather.com. With snow covering roads on Monday morning, Avery County Schools canceled school on Monday. Watauga County Schools operated on a two-hour delay to begin the week. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie

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March 24, 2016. Spring-like weather continues. Highs in the 60s remain in Boone through the weekend., although showers will occur on Thursday evening and Friday morning, according to RaysWeather.com. By Jesse Wood

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Jan. 21, 2016. A strong winter weather event will impact our area starting tonight that will bring heavy snow and the potential for freezing rain. TIPS:

Refrain from traveling if possible.

Make sure all your needed medications and oxygen are filled ahead of time.

Have a strong food and water supply.

Have a secondary source for heating in the event of power outages.

Properly vent fuel-burning appliances to avoid carbon monoxide exposure.

In the event of an emergency, remember to dial 911.

Continually monitor weather stations.

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