Blue Ridge Parkway, Smoky Mountains close sections: 11 inches of snow fell in spots

The first snow of the season brought widespread closures Tuesday to key areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with some isolated mountain areas expected to get as much as a foot of snow.

Blue Ridge Parkway officials began warning travelers Monday to expect closures to expand as conditions worsened overnight.

On Tuesday morning, a “real time” closures map showed most of the parkway was inaccessible south of Boone.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at the southern end of the parkway, says ice and snow forced it to close Newfound Gap Road, the key highway connecting the west and east sides of the park.

“We received a dusting of snow overnight in the park’s lowest elevations, 3 inches at Newfound Gap, and 11 inches at Mt. LeConte!” the park posted on Facebook. “Trails and visitor centers are open as usual today, but several road closures remain in effect. If you’re heading out on a trail today, be prepared for cold temperatures and icy conditions.”

Extreme cold is expected in the higher elevations Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Mount Mitchell — a frequently frigid 6,684-foot peak just north of the parkway — reported a temperature of 8.6 degrees shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday. The temperature at the park fell to 6 degrees on Wednesday, with wind chill of minus 2.5 degrees.

The National Weather Service predicts light snow would continue along the Tennessee border through Tuesday morning. Most areas will see around an inch of additional accumulation during the day, forecasters said.

“But snow showers could last through much of the daytime period with flakes possibly still falling over the northern tier after sunset,” the NWS said.

“Snow totals are still on track with 1 to 3 inches below 3,500 feet and upwards of 4-6+ (inches) above 3,500 feet. A few of localized ridge tops along the TN Border could receive close to a foot of snow, but will be very isolated.”

Wind gusts of 24 mph and lows between 10 and 20 degrees are also forecast for the high country, forecasters said Tuesday.

“Any melting that does occur in the mountains today will need to be monitored once the sun sets for the development of black ice. Also, with the gusty winds, expect wind chill values to be 10-15 degrees below the ambient temperature for today and tonight,” the National Weather Service said.