This story will be updated.
01/30/2026 12:59 p.m.
Along with a winter storm warning for Western North Carolina, the National Weather Service declared an extreme cold warning for the region from 1 p.m. Saturday through 1 p.m. Sunday.
“ We have wind chills getting into the single digits and even below zero during the day Saturday, and then just completely tanking overnight with wind chill values between -15 and -25,” Clay Chaney of the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg Office told BPR.
Heavy snow is expected to move into the region beginning around 4 p.m. Friday. Higher elevations in the mountains could receive the greatest accumulations.
“Some of the higher peaks in the Smokies, along the immediate Tennessee border, the Black Mountains and the Balsam seem to be the best bets for the heavier snow amounts,” Chaney said. “In the Asheville area we have four to six inches there.”
The anticipated winter storm also has caused nearly every public school district in the region to dismiss students early on Friday.
Residents are heavily encouraged to start preparing ahead of time and to continue to monitor the NWS website and its social media for the latest updates.
Expected potential snow fall and strong winds: Total snow buildup could be between 4 and 8 inches with winds gusting as high as 55 mph. Cold wind chills as low as 22 below zero are expected with the highest peaks in the mountains seeing wind chills as low as 25 to 30 below zero.
Potential Impacts: The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite or hypothermia in as little as 30 minutes if the skin is exposed. Pets and livestock can be endangered by extreme cold if left unprotected for extended periods. With heavy snow and strong winds, power lines and tree limbs could fall, causing power outages. Snow is expected to rapidly stick to roads across the region due to cold temperatures. Hazardous conditions could affect the Friday evening commute across the region.
01/29/2026 5:01 p.m.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency as the National Weather Service upgraded its forcecast, issuing a winter storm warning for Western North Carolina.
It’s the second time in a week that Stein has declared a state of emergency. He previously issued one before Winter Storm Fern passed through the region last weekend.
Heavy snow is expected for this weekend, according to the NWS. Total snow accumulations could range between 4 and 7 inches with winds as high as 55 mph.
Forecast models can change but residents are encouraged to start preparing ahead of time. The weather service recommends that people continue to monitor its website and social media for the latest updates.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS: With heavy snow and strong winds, power lines and tree limbs could fall causing power outages. Snow is expected to rapidly stick to roads across the region due to cold temperatures. Hazardous conditions could affect the Friday evening commute across the region.
01/29/2026 11:54 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Western North Carolina from 4 p.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Sunday.
A watch is issued when the risk of hazardous weather has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing remains uncertain. It’s intended to give people time to prepare and make safety plans.
Heavy snow is possible, according to the NWS. Total snow accumulations could be anywhere between 2 and 7 inches with winds as high as 45 mph.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Heavy snow could make roads hazardous and may cause power outages due to the weight of snow on tree limbs and power lines. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. Hazardous conditions could affect the Friday evening commute across the region.
