Asheville, N.C. - A winter storm is expected to impact Western North Carolina in the coming days, with different counties facing varying levels of severity. According to the latest forecasts, the counties closer to the Tennessee border will experience more significant winter weather conditions compared to those further east.

Graham and Swain counties are currently under a Winter Storm Warning, which will be in effect from 1 a.m. on Monday, January 15, until 7 a.m. on Tuesday. These areas are expected to see snow accumulations ranging from 3 to 6 inches or more, accompanied by light icing due to patchy freezing rain.

In addition, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for several other counties, including Haywood, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, and Yancey. This advisory will also be in effect from 1 a.m. on Monday to 7 a.m. on Tuesday. These counties could potentially see 1 to 4 inches of snow, along with light icing conditions.

However, counties towards the east, such as southern Jackson, Henderson, Buncombe, and McDowell, currently have no active alerts as of Sunday, January 14. These areas may experience light accumulations of less than 1 inch of snow, sleet, and patchy freezing rain from Monday into early Tuesday morning.

Although the upcoming system is predicted to have a greater impact on Tennessee, Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and northern Alabama, Western North Carolina can still expect significant travel disruptions, particularly in the Smokies and other high-elevation regions close to the Tennessee border.

Once the precipitation tapers off on Tuesday morning, cold temperatures will prevail throughout the area. Wind chills are anticipated to remain in the 20s on Tuesday, accompanied by gusty winds. Wednesday morning, January 17, may bring even colder conditions, with wind chill readings potentially dipping below zero in many locations. Wednesday itself will be sunny but cold, with highs barely exceeding freezing and wind chills lingering in the 20s. Wednesday night will be particularly chilly, with temperatures dropping into the teens.

Looking ahead, another storm system is expected to affect Western North Carolina on Thursday night and Friday, January 18-19. This system could bring a mix of wintry precipitation to the region, followed by even colder temperatures during the weekend of January 19-20.

Residents are advised to stay updated on weather conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this winter storm and subsequent cold spell.