A strengthening area of low pressure moved out of the Gulf of Mexico, across southern Georgia, and then up the southeast coast. As the low passed south of the region, snow became heavy across the southern and central mountains, as well as the Smokies and surrounding valleys late in the morning. Heavy snow developed a little later over the northern mountains. The heavy snow continued throughout the afternoon. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour became common across the area during the afternoon. Meanwhile, warming temperatures allowed the snow to mix with and eventually change to rain and sleet in the southwest mountain valleys. The heavy, wet snow combined with gusty winds to cause numerous trees and power lines to fall across the area during the afternoon. Widespread power outages resulted, and some customers were without power for as much as a week. Even longer outages affected parts of the northern mountains.
The snow ended over the Blue Ridge and the central mountains on the evening of the 18th. However, wrap around snow showers developed along the Tennessee line, resulting in additional snow accumulations overnight and into the morning hours of the 19th.
Total accumulations ranged from 12-18 inches across the lower northern mountain valleys, to 2-3 feet in the higher elevations along the Tennessee border, and in areas along the eastern escarpment. Over the southern and central mountains, total accumulations ranged from 6-10 inches in the lower elevations near the southern escarpment, to as much as 2 feet in the higher elevations. While the southwest mountain valleys generally saw only 3-5 inches, 2-3 feet of total snowfall was reported in the higher elevations of the Smokies and along the Cherohala Skyway in Graham County.
Hundreds of traffic accidents were reported during the storm, and continued for several days thereafter, as continuous melting and refreezing of ice and snow resulted in treacherous road conditions during the late night and morning hours. Hospitals reported 100s of cases and slips and falls during this time as well.

Winter Storm in SWAIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in HAYWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in GRAHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in AVERY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in MADISON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in YANCEY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in MITCHELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in CALDWELL MOUNTAINS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in BURKE MOUNTAINS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 07:00:00 to 19-DEC-09 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in BUNCOMBE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in NORTHERN JACKSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in MACON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN JACKSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in TRANSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in HENDERSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in RUTHERFORD MOUNTAINS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official

Winter Storm in POLK MOUNTAINS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 18-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 18-DEC-09 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: County Official