Smoky Mountains – Record snowfall in October

By Robert On November 20, 2012 · Leave a Comment

The winter storm resulted in blizzard conditions across the mountains, creating snow drifts as high as 7 ft.

A record amount of snow fell across higher elevations in October, according a report released by the National Weather Service office in Morristown. Nearly three feet of snow fell late in the month across the highest peaks in the Smoky Mountains. Most lower elevations saw little to no snow at all.

A unique weather event, as Hurricane Sandy slammed into the Northeast, an area of low pressure moved across the Eastern U.S. The moisture from Sandy’s remnants coupled with the cold air from the low pressure system, resulted in a “perfect storm” scenario.

Accumulation amounts (NWS)

Location	Total Snowfall (in)	Elevation (ft)
Newfound Gap, TN	36″	5,048′
Mount Leconte, TN	34″	6,593′
High Knob, VA	30″	4,223′
Roan Mountain, TN	19″	4,100′
Belfast, VA	15″	2,221′
Sandy Ridge, VA	14″	N/A
15 SSE Greeneville	14″	N/A
Coeburn, VA	14″	1,996′
10 SSW Erwin, TN	13″	N/A
Wise, VA	12″	2,451′
Max Patch, TN	10″	4,600′
Whitetop Mountain, VA	9″	5,520′
Norton, VA	9″	2,684′
Chestnut Mountain, TN	6″	2,500′
Mountain City, TN	6″	2,418′
Lebanon, VA	6″	2,060′
Emory, VA	6″	2,266′
Pound, VA	5″	1,565′