Winter in Southern Appalachia: Old Fort, North Carolina

Abstract

Winter in Southern Appalachia:Old Fort, North Carolina Montana A. Eck Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Drought. The southeastern United States (US) is well-known for its natural disasters, but no meteorological phenomenon elicits such a wide array of emotions in the citizens of the southeast more than snow. From the notorious "bread & milk" craze in preparation for a winter storm to the often apocalyptic images from major interstates in the aftermath of an inch of snow, southerners are frequently ridiculed for their reactions to winter storms. However, there is one particular region of the southeast that is well-accustomed to snow—the southern Appalachian Mountains. Stretching from Georgia to West Virginia, the highest peaks east of the Mississippi River are home to towns and villages that average more snowfall annually than New York City, Philadelphia, or Chicago. Whether it be cross-country skiing on Roan Mountain, hiking snow-covered sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, or snow tubing at local resorts, winter weather is a quintessential part of living in southern Appalachia. To those unfamiliar with the geography of the southeast, the severity of winter weather in the southern Appalachian Mountains can often come as a shock. However, thanks to their position in the mid-latitudes and synoptic weather influence of the Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean, these mountains experience snow throughout the winter season. The largest and most widespread snowstorms are associated with Miller systems that originate in the Gulf of Mexico and spread moisture over the mountains as they track along the Atlantic coast. Upper-level cut-off lows, clippers, and northeastward tracking Colorado lows can also produce significant snowfall but these particular storm systems are typically not as impactful across the entirety of the mountains (Perry et al., 2010). A majority of annual snowfall that accumulates along the Blue Ridge Escarpment comes as a result of gulf and Atlantic tracking storms, whereas Northwest flow snow events contribute 50 percent of the annual snowfall to windward and high elevation locations (Perry and Konrad, 2006). Ice storms also frequent the region as a result of cold-air damming, especially along the eastern facing foothills of the Blue Ridge. Due to the frequency of winter weather events in these ancient hills, many southern Appalachian traditions have been built upon the idea that the severity of the upcoming winter season could be predicted based on the local environment. In parts of the High Country, residents have a unique way of linking the number of foggy [End Page 105] mornings in August to the number of snow events in the upcoming winter. Starting on August 1st of each year, a bean is placed in a jar for every foggy morning. By the end of August, the total number of beans in the jar are believed to represent the number of snowy days that will follow in the coming winter. Another fun and well-known piece of folklore in the region revolves around the use of the Woolly Worm caterpillar in seasonal forecasting. With 13 body segments and 13 weeks in the winter season, each part of the Woolly Worm corresponds to that week's weather. Black bands on the Woolly Worm are believed to represent harsh winter conditions, while brown segments are representative of milder weather. Entering its 42nd year, the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, North Carolina celebrates this tradition and attracts thousands to the mountains each year. Numerous other versions of winter folklore and traditions exist within these mountains; while their scientifically validity is dubious, they do illustrate the importance of winter weather in southern Appalachian culture. Despite being more accustomed to winter weather than other parts of the South, extreme storms can still have significant societal impacts on those living in southern Appalachia. This is especially the case for winter storms associated with high winds, such as the Blizzard of 1993 that left thousands of residents without power, shuttered schools, and caused millions in damage (Kocin et al., 1995). The loss of home heating sources and the exposure to cold temperatures in these extreme winter storms can create life-threatening situations, especially for the most vulnerable populations within the region. Further complicating matters, the isolated nature of...