The National Weather Service has issued Wind Advisories for Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties, among other regions, as the remnants of Isaias are expected to bring strong winds through Saturday into Sunday. These advisories warn of conditions that could lead to downed trees and power outages across higher terrain and surrounding areas.
One of the advisories, issued by the National Weather Service Blacksburg office at 11:20 a.m. Friday, specifically covers Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties in North Carolina. This advisory also includes Grayson, Smyth, and Tazewell counties in Virginia, along with Mercer, Summers, and Western Greenbrier counties in West Virginia. The Blacksburg advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. EDT Sunday. Within these designated areas, east winds are forecast to range from 15 to 25 miles per hour. Gusts are predicted to reach up to 45 to 50 miles per hour, with isolated gusts along ridge lines above 3,500 feet potentially climbing as high as 60 miles per hour.
A separate advisory, issued by the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg office at 11:23 a.m. Friday, pertains to Henderson County and the mountain portions of Polk, Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Caldwell counties in North Carolina. This advisory also extends coverage to parts of northeast Georgia and the western Upstate of South Carolina. For these specific regions, the Greenville-Spartanburg advisory is active from midnight tonight, Friday, until 8 a.m. EDT Sunday. Forecasts indicate east winds between 10 to 20 miles per hour, accompanied by gusts reaching up to 46 miles per hour.
The anticipated strong easterly to southeasterly winds across the higher terrain from northwest North Carolina into southeast West Virginia may lead to several potential hazards for residents and infrastructure. Authorities caution that downed trees and power poles are possible, which could result in subsequent power outages, particularly in elevated areas. Beyond the immediate High Country, similar conditions are expected to persist across all other areas included in the advisories.
Gusty winds are also likely to blow around unsecured objects, a concern for outdoor items such as portable tents, which could be displaced. Tree limbs could be blown down, and a few power outages are an expected consequence of the strong wind activity as the weather system moves through the region. Drivers, especially those operating high-profile vehicles, should exercise extra caution. Winds of this strength can significantly increase the difficulty and hazard of driving conditions. Residents and visitors are advised to stay tuned to further developments by listening to their local radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for the most current updates on the weather situation. The forecast for these conditions is courtesy of the National Weather Service, which continues to monitor the progression of the Isaias remnants over the area.
