Last Updated on February 6, 2022 2:33 pm
Below are WataugaOnline.com updates regarding the winter storm impacting the area since late Saturday night.
High Wind Warning issued for Watauga and Ashe until 10 pm tonight. For more information visit this link.
Winter Weather Advisory for Watauga and Ashe until 10 pm tonight. For more information visit this link.
Winter Storm Warning in effect which includes Avery and Caldwell until 6 pm Monday. For more information visit this link.
National Weather Service forecast for Watauga County can be found at this link.
12:16 pm Tuesday – Sunshine has returned to the skies, allowing for much melting on main roads at this hour, secondary roads vary and gravel roads are covered. More winter weather is forecast for Thursday and the weekend, WataugaOnline.com will have a separate article with the details of that event. For now, this will be the last update regarding this storm event. Thanks for following along!
6:50 am Tuesday January 18, 2022 – Roads remain snow covered this morning, per incoming reports and web cam views. Travel is not encouraged. Blowing snow could also cause visibility issues. Windchills below zero will also be a part of the weather story this morning.
6:00 pm Monday – Travel wise tonight/overnight will bring a combination of:
- Roads that got salted and scraped possibly refreezing and getting recovered due to blowing and falling snow
- and roads that did not get treatment/scraped getting more snow on top due to falling and blowing.
Falling and blowing snow could cause whiteout conditions at times. Windchills below zero will also be a part of the weather story. Travel is not encouraged.
4:10 pm Monday – Falling and especially blowing snow are still impacting travel, and is expected to the rest of today and tonight. Travel is not recommended but if you have to be out then be aware of changing conditions. High Wind Warning and Winter Weather Advisory remain in effect until 10 pm.
Watauga County Offices will be closed on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. See the closings page for more information.
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1212 PM EST MON JAN 17 2022
...SNOWFALL REPORTS... LOCATION AMOUNT TIME/DATE PROVIDER ...WATAUGA COUNTY... BOONE 13.0 IN 0500 PM 01/16 PUBLIC 3 SE SILVERSTONE 12.8 IN 1102 AM 01/17 PUBLIC 2 E BOONE 12.0 IN 0500 PM 01/16 PUBLIC BLOWING ROCK 11.0 IN 0400 PM 01/16 PUBLIC 1 NNW BEECH MOUNTAIN 10.5 IN 0845 AM 01/17 PUBLIC 2 NE BOONE 9.5 IN 1240 PM 01/16 PUBLIC 3 W BLOWING ROCK 8.5 IN 1030 PM 01/16 PUBLIC FOSCOE 8.0 IN 0501 PM 01/16 PUBLIC 1 NNW TODD 7.8 IN 0549 PM 01/16 PUBLIC VALLE CRUCIS 7.3 IN 0400 PM 01/16 BROADCAST MEDIA ...ASHE COUNTY... 2 E ASHLAND 11.0 IN 0612 PM 01/16 PUBLIC 1 E FLATWOOD 11.0 IN 0900 AM 01/17 PUBLIC 2 W ASHLAND 9.0 IN 0900 AM 01/17 PUBLIC 3 N SHATLEY SPRINGS 6.5 IN 0535 PM 01/16 PUBLIC 2 E IDLEWILD 6.0 IN 0100 PM 01/16 PUBLIC FLEETWOOD 6.0 IN 0126 PM 01/16 PUBLIC 1 SE LANSING 6.0 IN 0545 PM 01/16 TRAINED SPOTTER LAUREL SPRINGS 5.0 IN 0211 PM 01/16 PUBLIC
Watauga County Schools will be closed for students on Tuesday. Wednesday, January 19th, schools in Watauga County will operate on an Inclement Weather Remote Learning Day. See the closings page for more information.
App State classes on Jan. 18 will not meet in person. Faculty should utilize online or course winterization options to the greatest possible extent. For more information visit the closing/cancellations page.
8:53 am Monday – from NWS Blacksburg
7:57 am Monday – All roads in the county continue to be snow & sleet covered. Travel is not advised. More winter precipitation is expected today with wind chills as low as 4 below.
5:04am Monday January 17, 2022 – Roads are still snow covered this morning. Travel is not advised. Here's a look at Boone and the App State campus this early morning. https://wataugaonline.com/cams/
4:48 am Monday January 17, 2022 – Blue Ridge Energy: Power Restoration Complete Sunday. For more information visit this link.
8:20 pm Sunday – All roads in the county continue to be snow & sleet covered. Travel is not encouraged. More winter precipitation is expected tonight and overnight with wind chills as low as 1 above/below zero. Also with Watauga Schools, local and state government offices already closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day motorists traffic will already be light so incoming reports may not be as detailed as usual.
5:38 pm Sunday App State – Adverse Weather Condition 2 (Suspended Operations) has been extended for non-faculty employees until 7a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18. A decision about classes for Tuesday will be made by noon on Jan. 17.
5:37 pm Sunday – Roads across the county are still snow covered as precipitation continues to fall. Travel is not advised.
2:15 pm Sunday – Power outages in Watauga.
1:00 pm Sunday – Roads county-wide continue to be covered at this hour and are expected to be all day as snow and sleet continues to fall rapidly. Travel is not advised, but if you must then be aware of changing conditions.
11:03 am Sunday – Roads county-wide are covered at this hour and are expected to be all day as the heavier snow moves in. Travel is not advised, but if you must then be aware of changing conditions.
11:01 am Sunday – The whole Blue Ridge Parkway is currently closed due to ice and snow. Visitors are encouraged to avoid the parkway until the storm passes for their own safety and that of emergency personnel throughout our region. High winds and heavy snow are expected today, creating hazardous conditions.
UPDATED 9:56 am – Mr. South has been located according to scanner dispatches. 8:58 am Sunday – Watauga County Emergency Services seeking missing man – Randolph South. For more information visit this link.
8:27 am Sunday – Governor Roy Cooper and Emergency Management officials to share an update on inclement weather. Press conference begins at 12noon and can be viewed at this link.
8:22 am Sunday – Blue Ridge Energy remains on high alert as the effects of winter storm Izzy moves into our service area of Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany and Caldwell counties as well as parts of Avery, Wilkes and Alexander counties. For more information visit this link.
7:00 am Sunday – from the WataugaOnline.com web cams page
5:34 am Sunday – from NWS Blacksburg
7:50 pm Saturday – Tonya Canter has reached out to WataugaOnline.com regarding a Random Act of Kindness in her neighborhood. She said, “Our neighborhood kids and I would like to participate in a Random Act of Kindness. On Monday from 11 am-1 pm (a school holiday honoring MLK Jr.) we would like to invite snow plowers (or anyone who is away from home working in the cold) to a FREE HOT MEAL on us (to-go box style)!!! Seven of the sweetest, kindest, giving children and I will meet you at 495 Tracy Circle in Boone to show you we appreciate everything you do to keep the Boone community safe. Just park and beep and we will serve you! (We do ask that you please wear a mask as to keep our little ones safe.)
7:13 pm Saturday – WataugaOnline.com spoke with Watauga County Emergency Management Coordinator Shane Garland this evening. He said that though it is not expected that shelters would be needed due to the storm, they are prepared if the need should arise. The most pressing concern, as seen ahead of the storm, would be if a road needed to be shut down for a lengthy amount of time and warming shelters would be needed and there are plans for those if needed. Should the need arise for any shelters or warming stations WataugaOnline.com will provide that information here.
6:53 pm Saturday – Travis Chrisawn, Watauga County NCDOT Maintenance Engineer, talks about the Fresia snowblower brought in that can be used during this storm event.
6:49 pm Saturday – Attention local restaurant owners, your help is asked for if you can. Watauga County Emergency Services is asking that if you own a restaurant (has to be inspected by the health department) and are willing to help feed a few soldiers and staff that are working up here through the storm please message their page by clicking on their name above. “We are having a few issues due to staffing and closures, thank you for your support!”, the agency notes on their Facebook page. Again message their page as WataugaOnline.com will not be able to pass along lots of private messages to them. Thanks!
6:20 pm Saturday – incoming social media reports noted snow flurries in most locations in Watauga starting shortly before 5 pm.
6:18 pm Saturday – from NWS Blacksburg
6:15 pm Saturday – Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist NBC Charlotte VLOG update.
11:43 am Saturday – Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist NBC Charlotte VLOG update.
10:50 am Saturday – from NWS Blacksburg
9:40 am Saturday – At App State, Adverse Weather Condition 2 (Suspended Operations) is in effect for non-faulty employees from 7a.m. on Jan. 16. until 7a.m. on Jan. 17. Please use caution. More info: http://appstatealert.com
9:35 am Saturday – Governor Cooper and Emergency Management officials to share an update on inclement weather. That press conference begins at 11:30 am and can be viewed at this link.
Below is an updated graphic, valid through 7 am Monday, from NWS Blacksburg regarding the expected snowfall from 1 am Sunday through 7 am Monday.
Below is an updated graphic, valid through 7 am Monday, from NWS Greenville-Spartanburg regarding the expected snowfall from 1 am Sunday through 7 am Monday.
Blue Ridge Energy is on high alert and ready to respond should the winter storm predicted this weekend lead to power outages in the cooperative’s service area of Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and portions of Avery, Wilkes and Alexander counties. For more information visit this link.
With the forecasted winter storm this weekend, the Town of Boone Public Works Department would like to take a moment to remind residents of the downtown snow removal procedures. For more information visit this link.
Governor Roy Cooper is urging people across North Carolina to prepare for a significant incoming winter storm and has signed a state of emergency in advance of the storm’s arrival. For more information visit this link.
Local NCDOT officials and the Town of Boone Public Works Department are once again ready for Old Man Winter and its impact on local roads. Click here to learn more.
Winter Storm Warning in effect which includes Watauga, Ashe & Wilkes. For more information visit this link.
