High Wind in Mcdowell Mountains, North Carolina

Very strong-to-damaging wind gusts from the northwest developed during the morning across the mountains near the Blue Ridge escarpment in the wake of a cold front. Frequent gusts of 50-60 mph, with occasional gusts as high as 65 mph occurred in the lower elevations. Meanwhile, winds gusted as high as 80 mph on exposed peaks and ridgetops. Numerous trees and large tree limbs were blown down throughout the area, with some trees falling on power lines and causing scattered power outages.