JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE — A significant winter storm is tracking across the Appalachian Mountains, bringing a sharp snowfall gradient from eastern Tennessee into western North Carolina and parts of southwest Virginia through Sunday and Monday night. Forecast maps show a narrow but intense band of heavy snow, with some mountain communities expected to see 6–10 inches, and isolated higher elevations potentially reaching locally one foot.
According to the final snowfall outlook issued for Sunday through Monday night , snowfall totals will vary dramatically depending on elevation and location, especially along the spine of the mountains.
Heavy Snow Band Targets High Elevations
The most significant snowfall is projected along a corridor stretching from Hot Springs, Mars Hill, and areas near Roan Mountain, extending northeast toward Mountain City and Boone, North Carolina. These communities sit directly within the highlighted pink zone on the forecast map, indicating potential totals of 6–10 inches, with locally higher amounts approaching 12 inches in favored mountain ridges.
Higher elevations such as Mount LeConte, Roan Mountain, and surrounding peaks are especially vulnerable to enhanced snowfall due to upslope flow. Meteorologists note that terrain will play a critical role, meaning snowfall amounts could increase rapidly over short distances…