High Wind and Winter Weather in North Carolina, November 2 to 3, 1999

A strong storm system moved northeast through the Tennessee River Valley early on the 2nd. Strong southwest winds ahead of the system reached damaging levels and blew down trees and power lines in several locations. Some traffic accidents occurred when drivers ran cars into downed trees in the road. Later in the day, after the cold front passed, a gusty northwest wind blew a few trees down along the Blue Ridge Parkway 3 miles southeast of Spruce Pine. As much colder air and residual low-level moisture moved into the mountains on a strong northwest wind later in the evening, light snow began and accumulated 1 to 3 inches in "streaks" across some of the mountains counties. The heaviest and most widespread accumulations (around 3 inches) were in Avery and Haywood counties. Schools were delayed or closed. Other counties reported amounts ranging from a trace to an inch or so. Numerous accidents occurred early in the event because of slick roads - even where accumulations were light.