Snow to the West of Us, A Tornado to the East

Compared with other regions of North Carolina, the Triad has dodged the proverbial bullet, weather-wise.The National Weather Service Wednesday morning reported snow falling in Boone, Asheville, Franklin and Jefferson, with the likelihood of heavy snow in parts of the mountains.  The agency has issued a winter storm warning for the mountains of northwest North Carolina, and the western slopes of southwest Virginia, in effect until 6:00 PM Wednesday.  Two to four inches of snow are expected.

For Avery, Graham, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Swain and Yancey counties, a storm warning is in effect  until midnight Wednesday, with as much as six inches possible along the North Carolina/Tennessee border.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell and Transylvania counties. It will be in effect until 6:00 this evening.

Meanwhile, to the east, the National Weather Service is trying to figure out whether a storm that struck North Carolina's southeastern coast late Tuesday night was a tornado.  Three people sustained minor injuries when the storm hit -- two in Atlantic Beach, when the roof blew off their condo, and one in Morehead City, who was struck by flying debris at Carteret Community College. Classes at the school have been canceled for today because of the damage, and there was also minor damage at Carteret General Hospital.