Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Caldwell Mountains, North Carolina

2015-02-18 to 2015-02-20 · Caldwell Mountains, North Carolina

Wider weather episode

A strong arctic cold front blasted through Western North Carolina during the afternoon and evening of the 18th, bringing strong winds and bitterly cold air to the region. By mid-evening, sustained winds of 15 to 30 mph combined with air temperatures in the single digits and teens to yield wind chill values in the -5 to -15 range in the valleys. By daybreak on the 19th, while the gusty winds continued, air temperatures ranged from 5 below to 5 above in the valleys, and as low as -20 on the high peaks and ridge tops of the northern mountains. Wind chill values during this time ranged from -15 to -20 in the valleys, while the high elevations likely saw values as low as -50, if not lower. The dangerous wind chills continued throughout the 19th, as air temperatures failed to warm above the teens in even the lowest valleys and the high elevations remained below 0, while most areas remained in the single digits. Wind chills remained no higher than 0 across most of the area until late morning on the 20th. Record lows were recorded at the Asheville Regional Airport on the 18th and the 19th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 561678. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.