Dangerous wind chills near minus-20 degrees hit North Carolina mountains, forecaster say

Temperatures in the North Carolina mountains are falling to nightly lows near zero, with wind chills near minus-20 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The dangerous cold is linked to an arctic air mass that could set records in the region, forecasters say.

Mountains in the northwestern part of the state will see the worst of it, with a low of two degrees and wind chills of minus 17 expected Monday night in Watauga County.

Mount Mitchell — the highest point east of the Mississippi River — saw wind chills of minus 19 at 10:20 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, and a temperature of 6 degrees, the NWS says.

Extreme cold warnings have been issued for the region, along with a winter storm warning.

“Daytime highs will range from the single digits to around 15 for the mountains. ... This is about 20 to 35 degrees below normal for highs on this date!” NWS forecasters said in a Jan. 20 release.

“Whether or not some sites break or tie their coldest high temperatures records today will depend partially on cloud cover.”

People who venture outdoors, including stranded travelers, face an elevated chance of frostbite and hypothermia “if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures,” experts say.

Widespread snow of three to six inches is expected above 3,500 feet in the mountains, and 8 to 12 inches could fall at elevations above 5,000 feet, forecaster say.

It arrives as 11 inches is already on the ground in areas like Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many park roads have been closed due to dangerous conditions, the National Park Service says.

This story was originally published January 20, 2025 at 6:19 AM.