Oh, what a beautiful clear and sunny morning to start this Thursday. If only it was going to last. The cold and wind are already here, but the gloomy skies and white powder are on the way. Clouds will gradually move in and thicken today with icy precip set to resume after dark. A Winter Weather Advisory is set to begin at 4:00 PM this afternoon and last until 10:00 AM Friday morning. Our elevation could see as much as 5” of snow when all is said and done, while the lowlands are expecting at least a dusting. Temps in the 20s will remain frigid while winds continue to gust between 30-40mph, especially up top where wind chills will easily creep down into the single digits today and tomorrow. Due to the wide range of impacts this winter storm will have, the NPS have already announced that they’ll be temporarily closing US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) at 2:00 PM today to safely clear out visitors from the park before conditions rapidly deteriorate. No one should expect the closure to be lifted before the advisory ends and road crews have had a chance to assess tomorrow, so that means Alum Cave will be out of play for guests with reservations Friday night. Those affected guests should make plans to utilize one of the trails out of Cherokee Orchard or Roaring Fork, as no plans have been made to close those roads at this time. Should that situation change once the flakes start flying, we’ll of course share that information as we learn of it. Go through those gear checklists now if you haven’t already and make sure you’ve packed the hats, gloves, jackets, and traction devices.
Have a great day.
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