Heavy Snow in North Carolina, January 27 to 28, 1998

A deep cut-off low drifted across western North Carolina, drawing abundant moisture into air just cold enough to support snow. A heavy wet snow began in the pre-dawn hours on the 28th and moved north across the mountains. Snow accumulated quickly during the day, before tapering to a light snow in the evening. Light snow continued into the following morning, especially north of Asheville. Snowfall totals ranged from 4 to 8 inches at lower elevations to between 1 and 3 feet at high elevations. To make matters worse, strong winds combined with the snow to create near blizzard conditions at times in the higher elevations. Tens of thousands of people were without power for up to 3 days as numerous trees and power lines were downed. Thousands of motorists were stranded on roads and highways. Interstate 40 through the mountains was closed for several hours and the National Guard had to be called in to rescue people stranded on the highway.