Beech Mountain sees potential record-breaking snow Monday

BEECH MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Appalachian State University announced Monday it canceled classes between 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Some parts of the mountains have already seen 4 inches of snow and are also dealing with tropical force winds at the higher elevations.

The storm could go down as a record-breaker for the month of October.

On the campus of Appalachian State University, students bundled up on their way to classes Monday. The cold blast that has brought strong winds and snow showers to the North Carolina high country has been a real shock to the system where just last week some students were wearing shorts.

"We were just playing tennis this weekend up here and it wasn't cold at all and now it is freezing," said student Clair Cox.

In Avery County, school was canceled Monday morning after snow started falling overnight.

The biggest concern is not just the snow but the strong winds moving into the mountains. Already there are reports of power outages in Watauga, Avery, and Burke counties.

Winds are expected to strengthen Monday night, sending some to the store to stock up on supplies for a storm system that may just be getting started.

Road crews told Eyewitness News that they have already called people in for the overnight hours, but they will have a tough time in some areas because the wind is blowing the snow back on the roads.

WSOC