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WINTER ON THE MOUNTAIN
Make no mistake about it — Fairview Forest experiences winter and chances are, if you've recently moved to the Mountain or are thinking about relocating to the Mountain, it's going to be more vigorous than you expected. While realtors emphasize the importance of "location, location, location", residents of Fairview Forest know that when it comes to winter weather, there's nothing more critical than "elevation, elevation, elevation".
A vertical ascent of 1,000 feet usually brings a temperature drop of 5 degrees. That means, among other things, that 38 degrees and rain in Asheville might very well be 28 degrees and snow on the Mountain.
And that's the story told by the area's winter weather statistics: Asheville receives about 15 inches of snow in an average winter, but much of Fairview Forest receives twice that much. The seasonal average above 4,000 feet — along White Oak Forest Road, for example — is 35".
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Lower temperatures and more snow can surprise unprepared residents on the Mountain, but for motorists they can mean unexpected trouble. Our roads are mountain roads — they twist and turn, and in places the roads are steep. An inch of slushy snow and merely wet roads at the entrance can be five inches of snow and ice only a mile up Fairview Forest Drive.
THE WINTER ROADS PLAN. The logistics and expense of snow removal make it impossible for the community to routinely plow its roads. Each winter season is different and each winter storm event really has to be judged and decisions made at that time. However, the basic winter plan goes like this:
Only Fairview Forest Drive will be plowed unless there is an extraordinary snow storm.
Side roads will be plowed only if there is an accumulation of 15 or more inches of heavy snow and little chance of it melting. No plowing will take place until the snow storm is over and the depth exceeds about six inches.
The decision to plow will be based on snow depth as well as other conditions such as expected warm weather. No plowing will take place if the accumulation is less than six inches and warm weather is expected.
BE PREPARED. Newcomers are often used to county services not available to a private mountain  community. Residents should always be prepared during the winter by having ample supplies in case of storms or power outages. Most residents choose to stay at home and simply wait-out winter storms. Other residents often move their vehicles to the entrances of the lower roads or near the entrance to the community when winter storms are forecast. Vehicles should be completely off the main road so as not to cause a safety hazard or line-of-sight problem for motorists.
It is strongly recommended that you carry a set of snow chains or cables in your vehicle from the first of December through the end of March. In addition, those who choose to venture out during winter storm events should have the following items among their "winter arsenal" — shovel, proper protective winter clothing, blanket, flashlight, cell phone, and plenty of fuel in the vehicle. This is particularly applicable if you live past the "S-Curve", a steep curve on the main road just past Poplar Forest Road. Some residents, especially those living above this steep area put snow tires on their vehicles in the winter which greatly enhances their ability to travel our roads when it snows. Having four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle with snow tires will almost always insure that you can drive to your home even in very wintry conditions. Be prepared to stay home or walk when the Mountain experiences a severe snow storm.
LOOKING BACK: THE BLIZZARD OF '93. One of the biggest winter snow storms in past years occurred in 1993. Read Recollections of the Blizzard of 1993 in this account by long-time resident, climatologist, and weather observer Grant Goodge.
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