Drivers crossing the Smokies and other high passes in East Tennessee could encounter snow Thursday night and Friday morning. The National Weather Service in Morristown issued a winter weather advisory above 3,000 feet from 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, to 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Eastern time. Forecasters expect 1 to 4 inches of snow, with more possible on the highest peaks and gusts up to 35 mph.
The advisory names four stretches of road where snow could make travel slippery: Interstate 26 at Sam’s Gap, U.S. 441 at Newfound Gap, U.S. 421 at Trade Gap and Tennessee 165 at Beech Gap on the Cherohala Skyway. Forecasters expect the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes to be affected.
Check park roads before driving over the gap
Newfound Gap is 5,046 feet above sea level. The National Park Service notes that rain in Gatlinburg or Cherokee can fall as snow at the gap, so conditions at either end of the drive can differ from those on top.
Check Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s current conditions for Newfound Gap Road and Kuwohi Road. The park lists Kuwohi Road, formerly Clingmans Dome Road, as scheduled to stay open through Nov. 29, but snow or ice can close it earlier. For state highways, check Tennessee SmartWay or call 511. If you are driving into the mountains after dark, check again before leaving.
