Winter Storm in Watauga, North Carolina

Between 0.15 and 0.75 inches of ice accumulated across Watauga County from February 11 through February 12. The highest amount of 0.75 inches was reported just southeast of Deep Gap. Over 5600 customers were reported without power by the mid afternoon of February 12. Key Impacts: power outages, downed trees, road closures.

A high pressure wedge was situated over the region as a surface low pressure system developed over the southern Plains, with an expansive area of precipitation that shifted eastward into the Mid Atlantic during the day of February 11. Precipitation began as snow, but with the high pressure wedge in place and warm air increasing aloft, a transition from snow to sleet and freezing rain occurred along and south of the North Carolina and Virginia border. Ice accumulations on trees and power lines resulted in thousands of power outages and road closures.