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 / Read more…

June 10, 2019. Steady rains arrived on Thursday and hung around the High Country all weekend long, bringing along with it some serious flooding issues in Watauga, Avery and Ashe counties. Many roads were closed and even some of the main highways in and out of Boone had brief lane closures, including Highway 421 in Deep Gap where a mudslide closed one lane. One of the hardest hit areas in Watauga County was Valle Crucis where approximately seven inches of rain fell and left much of the Valle Crucis Community Park underwater. and many side roads closed. Valle Crucis Elementary School was also hit hard again in the storm as is typical for large rainfall events such as this one. “We saw impacts from this weekend’s storms across the county affecting several of our schools in different ways. Valle Crucis was affected most directly. We saw flooding there that’s unfortunately very typical for this type of storm at that school. Several classrooms in the lower lying areas of the school were flooded with groundwater,” said Garrett Price, Director of Communications for Watauga County Schools.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

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 / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Company, 3/25- 4/1

BRAHM Weekly Events, 3/27- 3/31

Appalachian Gastroenterology Will Join Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, 4/1

High Country Chapter of Military Officers Association of America Pancake Breakfast, 4/7

Extension Offers Hands-on Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation Workshop, 4/13

Blue Ridge Artisan Center Calls for Artists and Artisans in Northwest N.C. Counties to Take Part, Submission Deadline 4/19

Watauga Humane Society’s 4th Annual Raffle, 4/29

Ensemble Stage 2018 Professional Summer Season 

Read more…
Compiled by Kate Herman

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

The Walker Center presents “Christmas with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound”, 12/1

Alta Vista Gallery Annual Christmas Open House,11/25

Read more…
Compiled by Kate Herman

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 / Read more…

May 22, 2017. Monday will offer a mild respite from Sunday’s dreary weather and the rainy forecast for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to RaysWeather.com, which noted, “During the daytime today, we have a peek at the sun but isolated showers remain possible.” Photo by Jan Todd / Read more…

May 17, 2017. Record temperatures for May 17 were tied on Wednesday by one account. According to the National Weather Service’s station atop Watauga Medical Center, the high temperature touched 81 degrees on Wednesday. RaysWeather.com archives note that the high for May 17 is 81, reached in 1962. / Read more…

April 7, 2017. While some of the High Country woke up to a dusting of snow on Friday, the wind was arguably the weather story of the night. The weather station at Grandfather Mountain recorded wind gusts up to 101.3 mph and a top wind speed of 63.1, according to the State Climate Office’s CRONOS database. This was recorded at 11 p.m. on Thursday, at which time the weather station stopped recording data. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

Mar. 14, 2017. Winter is still in the air in the High Country! While the snow may have backed off in some areas in recent hours, it looks like this late winter storm isn’t quite finished. Here’s what some of the High Country’s weather experts have to say about our mid-March snow shower. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

Mar. 3, 2017.This morning the High Country awoke to another strand of unexpected weather this week. With the chaotic tornado weather on Wednesday, with high winds and intense rain, it’s surprising that, at around approximately 7 a.m., the sky released a flurry of snow.By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of Ken Ketchie / Read more…

Feb. 20, 2017. The high temperature on President’s Day is forecasted to be nearly 70 degrees in Boone. RaysWeather.com noted that the temps later this afternoon will be about 20-degrees above the average high for this date, Feb. 20. Today’s high is forecasted to be 68 and that happens to be the record high from 1939. By Jesse Wood – Photo by Todd Bush / Read more…

Dec. 20, 2016. The winter solstice is something else to celebrate this holiday season. Beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 5:44 a.m. EST, the astronomical start of winter begins, meaning that the days will soon become longer. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Dec. 20, 2016. This morning, the National Weather Service issued a special weather statement about freezing fog, which is expected to burn off by mid-morning. The warning expires at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Jan Todd
/ Read more…

Aug. 11, 2016. Just a couple weeks ago, we were all looking for relief from the 80-degree heat and dry weather that’s a bit much for us spoiled in the mountains. Now, we are looking for a respite from the rainy weather of the past two weeks. In fact, it has rained in the region every day since Aug. 1, according to RaysWeather.com. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

July 12, 2016.The Boone Moose Lodge, 1805, is inviting motorcyclists from around the region to take part in the third annual Ride for Kids on July 23, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Boone Moose Lodge. The Ride 4 Kids is an annual motorcycle ride held each summer to benefit the Mooseheart Child City and School. / Read more…

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 / Read more…

Feb. 10, 2016. The forecast for the next several days in the High Country is far from pleasant. Watauga Fire Officials would like to address safety concerns for keeping your animals and livestock safe during severe winter weather. / Read more…

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: / Read more…

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.

<img class="alignleft wp-image-3649" title= “FIXE_03083.jpg" src="https://www.hcpress.com/img/FIXE_03083.jpg" alt="https://www.hcpress.com/?p=39556" width="600" height="400" /><br /> <a href="https://www.hcpress.com/?p=119830"> April 20, 2015.</a> Sunday was definitely a washout, capping a week dominated by rain. RaysWeather.com noted that 4.8 inches of rain fell at the weather station at Grandfather Vineyard and Winery in Foscoe and that the highest totals were along the Blue Ridge from Avery to Alleghany counties. While Watauga County Schools operated on its regular schedule Monday, buses didn’t run on Guy Ford Road, Roby Greene Road, Watauga River Road and Dewitt Barnett Road. <strong><em> By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie </em></strong> <a href="https://www.hcpress.com/front-page/photos-sunday-caps-a-rainy-week-in-the-high-country-with-2-to-5-inches-of-rain-falling.html"> / Read more…</a>

March 5, 2015. Ray Russell of RaysWeather.com is probably smiling right now thinking of those blasted woolly worms, groundhogs, jar o’ beans and the other unscientific winter forecasts out there that compete with his ever-popular, data-backed “Fearless Forecast.” Remember Kwazimodo? By Jesse Wood • Photos by Kellen Short / Read more…

March 4, 2015. Before noon on Wednesday, RaysWeather.com has a recorded temperature of 68.3 degrees. This day definitely qualifies as a “white-leg alert” – as some of the pictures above depict. But this nice weather won’t last long as arctic air is arriving tonight. Compiled by Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

<img class="alignleft wp-image-3649" title="FIXE_0033-1.gif" src="https://www.hcpress.com/img/FIXE_0033-1.gif" alt="https://www.hcpress.com/?p=39556" width="610" height="407" /> <a href="https://www.hcpress.com/?p=119830">Feb. 27, 2015.</a> Blue skies dominated the state of the weather on Friday afternoon, which turned into a great "snow day" for children with schools being out to close the weekend. On Saturday, the temperature will be cold but slightly warmer. Plus, the sun should be out on Saturday before clouds and rain return on Sunday. Here are some pictures depicting how beautiful the day was on Friday. <strong><em> By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie </em></strong><a href="https://www.hcpress.com/front-page/what-a-beautiful-day-in-the-high-country-on-friday-snow-coverage-and-plenty-of-sun.html"> / Read more…</a>

Feb. 26, 2015. Here are some photos the morning after last night’s snowstorm in the High Country, which received about 4 to 7 inches of snow, according to RaysWeather.com. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

Feb. 25, 2015. With a couple hours before the storm is expected to begin, RaysWeather.com posted on Facebook, “It’s clear from radar that this storm will not disappoint. Right now I have more ‘upside’ fear than ‘downside.’” The latest forecast accumulation map from RaysWeather.com is calling for 5 to 7 inches in the vast majority of Avery and Watauga counties. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

Feb. 25, 2015. Before the snow from the last storm late Monday and early Tuesday has a chance to melt, Mother Nature has some more in store for us beginning Wednesday evening. Forecasts from RaysWeather.com and the regional National Weather Service office range from 3 to 7 inches, depending on the locale and elevation in the High Country. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Feb. 24, 2015. The amount of accumulation this morning was a bit of a surprise. Forecasts were revised and the roads were a slushfest. RaysWeather.com noted that one to three inches of snow covered the region at sunrise and more snow continued to fall throughout the morning. RaysWeather.com expects one to four inches throughout the daytime – with four to six inches at higher elevations and along the western escarpment. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

Feb. 20, 2015. For the second day in a row, the weather was record breaking. On Friday morning, residents of the High Country – and beyond – woke up to subzero temperatures and record lows for Feb. 20. Several of the towns or communities experienced temperatures for this date – Feb. 20 – that haven’t been felt in decades or, at least in one case, more than a century. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Feb. 20, 2015. Once the wind chills subside, then a National Weather Service winter-storm watch goes into effect late Friday night through late Saturday night. The meteorologists at RaysWeather.com are “thinking one to four inches” of accumulation before the snow turns into a wintry mix and then into rain on Saturday night. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

Feb. 20, 2015. Historic low temperatures caused members of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation to set a peak high record for electricity demand due to heating needs. Early Friday, the cooperative’s nearly 74,000 members used 383 megawatts of electricity, which is over 10 percent higher than normal. / Read more…