NORTH GEORGIA — A cold front is expected to arrive in North Georgia late Thursday, followed by a strong push of cold air on Friday, November 13. Accumulating snow still looks likely in the higher elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains, where some spots could pick up 5 to 9 inches. The latest European model also shows a few snow flurries possible in the northeast Georgia mountains Friday night, followed by a few chilly days before temperatures moderate.
Highest Peaks of the Smokies Could See 5 to 9 Inches
The heaviest snow is expected along the highest ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains near the Tennessee and North Carolina border. Model guidance shows a small zone of 5 to 9 inches in the highest terrain, northwest of Waynesville.
This area includes some of the tallest peaks in the eastern United States, where colder temperatures at higher elevations allow snow to pile up faster. Mountain roads in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park could become snow covered and slick Friday night.
Western North Carolina Mountains See 1 to 4 Inches
A wider band of 1 to 4 inches of snow stretches across the mountains of western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Waynesville is projected to pick up around 1.8 inches, while Andrews could see about 1.1 inches.
Totals drop off quickly at lower elevations, with Franklin near 0.5 inch and Asheville around 0.2 inch. Hendersonville and areas farther east are expected to see little to no accumulation, while Knoxville and Maryville in the Tennessee Valley also stay mostly dry.
Snow Flurries Possible in the Northeast Georgia Mountains
The European model shows a few snow flurries possible across the northeast Georgia mountains Friday night. Accumulation is not expected in Georgia, but residents could see snowflakes in the air as the cold air settles in…