Winter Storm Event

Heavy Snow Started: January 27, 1998 at 4 am EST Ended: January 28, 1998 at 12 pm EST
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. Heavy wet snow developed during the early morning hours on the 27th and continued until around noon on the 28th. Total snowfall amounts were generally from 18 to 36 inches with maximum snow depths from 14 to 24 inches. The heavy wet snow closed schools, businesses, and church services and stranded people in homes and vehicles. There were numerous traffic accidents, some with injuries indirectly attributed to the storm. The snow was so deep that even four-wheel drive vehicles got stuck. The weight of the snow knocked down utility lines, trees, and tree limbs, resulting in thousands of people without power. At one point, it was estimated that half of Watauga County was without power. Buildings, barns, awnings, greenhouses were damaged or collapsed due to the weight of the snow. A carport in Crumpler in Ashe County collapsed and damaged two vehicles. Shelters were set up and the National Guard was called out. Ashe and Watauga County were declared federal disaster areas.
Injuries	not available	Deaths	not available
Property Damage	not available	Crop Damage	not available
Weather Station Data Snow   Sleet   Freezing Rain   Rain   Mix
X Hourly Data Daily Data Total Snowfall Total Precipitation Primary Precip. Type Minimum Temperature Maximum Wind Speed