Fairview Forest experiences winter and chances are, if you're a newcomer, you'll find winter can 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 inches. The winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11 each produced snowfall totals exceeding 50 inches, but less than 6 inches fell last winter (2011/12).
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. Online Winter Road Condition Postings
Property owners and residents can check FairviewForest.com for updates on our community roads during the winter. And those who venture out are asked to share what they see as far as conditions of the road they travel and the main road. This helps others in the community know the status of the community roads and whether it is safe to venture out and travel up and down the Mountain. Often, what we see from our window at home is not necessarily the same picture a short distance down the road.
• Email winter road reports to news@fairviewforest.com.
• Visit FairviewForest.com for winter updates in the community.
• Visit FairviewForest.com/mobile on your mobile device while you're on the go.
• If you're on Facebook, check for updates cross-posted there. The Winter of '87 Above photo was taken by former resident Grant Goodge at the top of the Mountain in April, 1987.
While we never know the kind of winter we'll have next, we can look back on some with fond memories. Remembering the Big Storms
It was called the Storm of the Century, also known as the '93 Superstorm, or the (Great) Blizzard of 1993, a large cyclonic storm that occurred on March 12-13, 1993, on the East Coast of North America and felt in a big way right here on the Mountain. It wass unique for its intensity, massive size and wide-reaching effect.
Drifts up to 14 feet were observed at Mount Mitchell where 50 inches of snow fell during the storm. Asheville officially recorded 19 inches while snowfall totals of between 2 and 3 feet were widespread across Western North Carolina. In Boone, a high-elevation area accustomed to heavy snowfalls, there were 24 hours of temperatures below zero along with storm winds which gusted as high as 110 miles per hour.
March 17, 1936 — One of the worst snowstorms of the century swept across Asheville and Western North Carolina. Snowdrifts up to 8 feet high buried parked cars in the city and caused hazardous driving throughout the area.
March, 1960 — A record snowfall of more than 26 inches fell across Western North Carolina crippling the area. Snow fell on March 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 11th and 20th that year. Spring arrived on March 27 with a 71 degree temperature reading but it was April before all the snow melted.
December 3, 1971 — 16.3 inches of snow fell (recorded at the airport).
December 24-25, 1983 — A near record cold air mass was accompanied by 60-85 mph winds on Christmas Eve. Minimum temperatures dropped to -7 degrees at Asheville and -21 degrees at Grandfather Mountain.
April 3-6, 1987 — A record snowstorm moved through the WNC area. A Concorde jet airliner was trapped at the Asheville Airport until the runway could be cleared a day later. Snowfall amounts ranged from 12-24 inches to a state record 60 inches at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
January 7-8, 1988 — Snowstorm blankets region with up to 20 inches and schools were closed for a week.
March 12, 1993 — Known as the Storm of the Century, a two-day whiteout starting March 12, dumped 2 feet of snow on the Western North Carolina mountains. The storm left a dozen people dead, more than 100,000 customers without power and caused more than $75 million in damage. Here on the Mountain, 26 inches of snow was recorded.
January 7, 1996 — A major snowstorm dumped more than two feet of snow in some Western North Carolina areas with 10" in Buncombe County. The storm paralyzed the region closing roads, schools, and the Asheville airport.
January 27, 1998 — A surprise snowstorm dumped 10-12 inches of snow in Buncombe County and 8 inches in Asheville. The storm caused widespread power outages with more than 100,000 homes and businesses across Western North Carolina without power, some for up to three days. Here in Fairview Forest, more than 18 inches of heavy wet snow fell resulting in trees down as pictured in the photo strip below; there were power outages for several days. Photos: The winter of 1998 Winter photos by residents. Top left picture taken by Jeff Crawford. Top right photo by Amy White
captures rime ice winter event at the top of the Mountain. Bottom three photos are from the winter of 1998. Winter Storms Can Be Both Fun
And Dangerous; Be Prepared
Making snowmen, eating roasted chestnuts, sipping hot chocolate, and sledding... it's what winter is all about. But in order to enjoy the beautiful winters our area is famous for, we must first prepare for its possible consequences.
Often times, a light dusting of snow overnight will melt away by mid-day. Winter storms can include everything from a moderate snow lasting a few hours to a blinding blizzard that extends through several days. Winter storms are often accompanied by dangerously low temperatures, strong winds, ice, sleet and freezing rain.
Consequently, our community may experience unsafe driving conditions such as power outages or fallen trees. If a storm produces high winds that result in trees and power lines down, plowing can not take place until those situations are addressed and in some cases it can be several days depending on the scope of the storm before Progress Energy can fix the lines and fallen trees are removed.
Winter storms can put you at risk for hypothermia, frost bite and other cold-related emergencies if the proper precautions are not taken.
We can not prevent winter storms but we can prepare for them by making sure our homes and vehicles are ready for emergencies. Make Sure Your Vehicle Is in a Safe Spot
Winter often necessitates following the exceptions outlined in the Roads Regulations, Parking on Roads and Other Common Areas.
Parking on the sides of the main road and at the entrance to side roads is sometimes necessary during winter weather. Property owners should use good judgment so as not to put their vehicles in a position dangerous to others. This means the vehicle should be completely off the roadway as far as possible. Before leaving your vehicle, take a careful look to make certain your vehicle is not a possible hazard to traffic on the road. If your vehicle is stranded, make every attempt to have it removed as quickly as possible.
Many residents park their vehicles in the mailbox shelter parking area during inclement weather. Share your winter navigation plans with us at news@fairviewforest.com. The Winter Roads Plan(Revised February 2011)
Legal requirements regarding snow removal: The Restrictive Covenants state that among the purposes of the Association is to "repair, maintain and improve" our roads. However, there is no duty under the Restrictive Covenants and By-laws to conduct snow removal activities. Snow removal is not maintenance nor is it repair. Snow removal is thus a service provided solely within the limits of the Association's budget. This policy defines the parameters of snow removal the Association will undertake. During snow/ice events, all roads shall be deemed "travel at your own risk."
The logistics and expense of snow removal make it very difficult for the community to plow its roads. Each winter season is different and each winter storm event really has to be judged and decisions made at that time.
Snow removal plan guidelines:
• The Association will not attempt snow removal until more than six inches of snow has accumulated.
• Measurements will be taken generally at mid-elevations (tops of Maple Forest Road/Chestnut Forest Road and at the junctions of Poplar Forest Road and at higher elevations on White Oak Forest Road at Fairview Forest Drive.
• Other important factors include the pending weather forecast and the proximity of warmer weather.
• The decision to remove snow accumulation will be made by the Roads Committee Chair with consensus of the President and at least one other Board member.
• No clearing will take place until the snow storm is over.
• The Association will not de-ice or sand the roads. Homeowners are requested to not use rock salt (sodium chloride) on surfaces to melt ice. We need to protect our wells and our ground water source.
Top picture is from January, 2005, a snow/rime ice event. Bottom left photo was taken in
January, 2005 and the bottom right picture is from December, 2004. Photo series by Grant Goodge. 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.
Making snowmen, eating roasted chestnuts, sipping hot chocolate, and sledding... it's what winter is all about. But in order to enjoy the beautiful winters our area is famous for, we must first prepare for its possible consequences.
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.
