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Schools closed Friday as forecasters ratchet up snowfall predictions

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 7, 2025

Signaling greater certainty of bad weather, the National Weather Service on Thursday issued a winter storm warning — upgraded from a winter storm watch — and increased the snow forecast to up to 5 inches. The winter storm warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday. Some areas north and west of Hendersonville could see up to 8 inches of snow. A quarter-inch layer of ice is also possible.
 
The NWS forecast called for snow starting before 5 p.m. Friday, possibly mixing with sleet later. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation through Friday night could be as much as 5 inches — 1-2 inches during the day and 1-3 inches on Friday night.
With lows of 27 Friday night, 16 Saturday night and 21 Sunday night there's a chance of refreezing and black ice.
"Snow and ice accumulations will make many roads treacherous and impassable," the weather service said. "The weight of the snow and ice on tree limbs and power lines could produce scattered outages."
A measurable snowfall would break a run of more than a thousand days with no snow — and no snow days for schoolchildren.

"For the first time in three years, it looks like Henderson County has some real winter weather headed this way," the school system said in an announcement. "We have monitored the pending system throughout the week and received the most current information during an afternoon update from the National Weather Service. The winter storm watch has now been upgraded to a winter storm warning.

"The extended cold weather means road conditions will deteriorate quickly once precipitation begins to fall. Based on these factors, Henderson County Public Schools will be closed for students on Friday, January 10. Staff will operate on an optional workday with an early release as needed."