Cold Snap Hits Western North Carolina This New Year’s Weekend!

News Summary

As Western North Carolina bids farewell to 2024, an impending cold snap promises to bring frigid temperatures and winter weather just in time for New Year’s Eve. While daytime highs may linger in the upper 50s, temperatures are expected to fall dramatically as festivities begin, with wind chill making it feel like the 20s. Residents should brace for strong winds, possible snow, and a winter weather advisory issued for higher elevations. This significant temperature drop marks a stark contrast to the relatively mild conditions that preceded it, and travelers should be cautious as conditions deteriorate through the holiday weekend.

Cold Snap Hits Western North Carolina This New Year’s Weekend!

As we bid farewell to 2024, Western North Carolina is gearing up for a chilly farewell as temperatures take a nosedive and winter weather rolls in. While many of you might be enjoying relatively mild temperatures as the year winds down, brace yourselves for the Arctic blast that’s set to sweep through just in time for the celebrations!

New Year’s Eve: A Windy Precursor

On New Year’s Eve, revelers can expect daytime highs to reach the pleasant upper 50s, but as the clock ticks closer to midnight, temperatures will plummet to around 40 degrees. Talk about a dramatic drop! With the wind chill factor, it’s going to feel even colder, dipping into the upper 20s as we welcome 2025. So, those outdoor celebrations? Don’t forget to layer up!

A cold front will be moving in over New Year’s Eve, and it brings a slight chance of showers along with increased wind speeds. Buckle up because a Wind Advisory is already in effect starting at 10 p.m. for multiple counties including Avery, Yancey, and more. High up in the mountains, the wind is expected to be particularly fierce, with sustained gusts of 25 to 35 mph, and some areas experiencing gusts up to 50 mph. That’s one wild wind!

Snow Is in the Air

As if that wasn’t enough, expect a sprinkle of snow as well. Northwest winds will bring light snow to higher elevations near Tennessee from New Year’s Eve evening through New Year’s Day morning. If you’re up above 3,000 feet, you might find a cozy blanket of snow awaiting you, with accumulations expected in the higher altitudes. So be careful if you’re traveling through those snowy passes.

New Year’s Day: Bundle Up!

New Year’s Day is shaping up to be quite frigid and blustery. Morning temperatures will feel like they’re in the 20s, which is no small feat! The expected high will be around 45 degrees, but combined with biting winds, it feels closer to 35 degrees. Shivering your way into the new year? Definitely not a vibe!

Future Forecast: More Cold on the Way

Looking ahead, there’s more on the way! A second Arctic air blast will hit the region on January 2 and 3, causing temperatures to dip back down into the 30s. If you thought 2024 was going out with a bang, 2025 might just be kicking off with some icy mornings!

Looking Back and Ahead

Interestingly, Asheville is likely to end 2024 with some record-warm temperatures, but the winter season is projected to showcase a moderate chance of warmer temperatures overall, paired with slightly less precipitation. When looking at the statistics, Asheville typically sees lows around 31.3° in December and highs of about 51.5°, making this chilly shift quite a contrast!

While January ushers in colder weather with an average low of about 28.6° and high of 48.9°, it’s known for its cloud cover and more snow days than its predecessor. And it looks like the winter fun doesn’t end there as snow days become a regular occurrence!

Advice for Travelers

With a Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 1 p.m. on Saturday for elevations above 3,500 feet, snow accumulation of 1 to 4 inches is on the horizon, likely accompanied by wind gusts pushing 50 mph. Friday afternoon will see flurries making their way through those higher elevations and hitting the valley floors just in time for sunset. Travelers should anticipate deteriorating conditions as heavy snow falls.

So there you have it, folks! If you’re in Western North Carolina for the New Year, prepare for a wild mix of winds, cold, and maybe even a little snow. Get ready to hunker down, sip some hot cocoa, and enjoy the beautiful winter scenery that follows!