Last Updated on October 16, 2026 2:21 pm
A Freeze Watch is in effect from late Saturday night through Sunday morning, October 18, for the High Country and the mountains of western North Carolina, with lows as low as 29 to 30 possible, especially at higher elevations. The National Weather Service says frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
Watauga and Ashe Counties
The National Weather Service in Blacksburg issued a Freeze Watch at 1:38 PM Friday for Watauga and Ashe counties, along with parts of southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 are possible from late Saturday night through Sunday morning, roughly 1 AM to 9 AM Sunday. Boone, West Jefferson, Independence, Whitetop and Troutdale are among the locations included.
Western North Carolina Mountains
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg issued a Freeze Watch at 1:56 PM Friday for Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood, Buncombe, Graham, Jackson and Macon counties, with the same late Saturday night through Sunday morning timing and lows as low as 30 possible, especially at higher elevations. Cities include Asheville, Burnsville, Spruce Pine, Newland, Banner Elk, Waynesville, Franklin, Highlands, Sylva, Bryson City, Cashiers, Black Mountain, Marshall, Hot Springs and Robbinsville.
Impacts and Precautions
Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. In-ground sprinkler systems should be drained, hoses removed and above-ground pipes covered.
Forecast courtesy of the National Weather Service.
