Early Snowfall Causes Temporary Road Closure Through Great Smoky Mountains National Park

October 28, 2008 12:30 p.m. EST

Cherokee, NC (AHN) - The North Carolina mountains got snow overnight and it was still falling at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park causing officials to close US-441.

Also known as Newfound Gap Road, 441 is usually open year-round, weather permitting, but occasionally is closed because of snow. Park rangers are reporting 1 1/2-inches on the ground at Mt. LeConte and snow also at Newfound Gap.

A snow advisory remains in effect until noon for the Smokies.

Road crews will begin plowing and sanding roads when the snow stops and they hope to reopen 441.