Baby, it's cold outside!
By Staff and Wire
Published in News on December 20, 2004 1:58 PM
Wayne Countians who stayed up late Sunday night could see the season's first snowfall, but only briefly. Within a couple of hours, howling winds had pushed it quickly to the east.
This morning the only evidence was a crusty residue scattered hither and yon in grassy areas.
Winds were up to 30 mph overnight and the air temperature was in the teens. That put the wind-chill factor -- the way the cold actually feels -- in single digits.
While the East got just a taste, the cold front that brought it dumped several inches of snow to some areas of North Carolina, and driving was tricky.
A winter weather advisory was in effect in the mountains. The depth of the snow was up to six inches in higher elevations in the northwestern area .
The wintry precipitation and expected low temperatures caused officials to close school today in Ashe, Buncombe and Watauga counties, as well as the Asheville city system.
Schools in Wayne had begun their Christmas break.
To the west, the roads were nearly barren of traffic, said Jennifer Davis, an employee of Twin Oaks General Store in central Alleghany County.
"It is slick," Davis said. "It snowed, and it was wet on the road, and it froze. There are a few (drivers) and they are barely creaking along."
The temperature at Asheville was below 32 degrees by 2 p.m., and wind gusted to around 55 mph.
Several homeless shelters in the Asheville area were filled beyond capacity before dark on Sunday due to the cold temperatures.
From Staff and AP Reports