Greenville, SC – Sub-freezing temperatures will settle over western North Carolina’s mountain counties by midnight, putting crops, plumbing, and early Tuesday travel at risk through the morning hours.
According to the National Weather Service, a Freeze Warning remains in effect from midnight tonight until 9 a.m. Tuesday for Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties. Overnight lows are expected to drop to around 31 degrees, with colder pockets possible in sheltered valleys.
Communities including Banner Elk, Newland, Burnsville, and Spruce Pine will experience several hours near or below freezing. Higher elevations along routes like U.S. 19E, NC-226, and NC-80 could see patchy frost develop before sunrise, potentially creating slick spots on bridges and shaded roadways during the early commute.
The primary concern is agricultural damage. Early spring crops, gardens, and flowering trees are vulnerable after recent mild conditions. Frost and freezing temperatures could also impact exposed outdoor plumbing, particularly in rural and elevated areas where temperatures fall fastest.
Residents are urged to cover or bring in sensitive plants, drain in-ground sprinkler systems, and remove hoses from outdoor spigots. Exposed pipes should be insulated or covered to prevent freezing.
Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing after 9 a.m. Tuesday, but additional cold mornings remain possible this week if clear skies persist overnight.
