GATLINBURG, Tenn. – Winter weather has prompted multiple closures in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including key roads and visitor centers. On Saturday morning, Newfound Gap Road was closed at 7 a.m. due to the accumulation of snow and the forecasted continuation of winter conditions.
The park reported that 3 inches of snow had fallen at Newfound Gap by Friday night, bringing the total snow depth to 11 inches. Snowfall is expected to continue throughout the weekend, with an additional 4 to 6 inches predicted for Sunday.
In response to hazardous conditions, the park announced that Cades Cove Loop Road and all sections of the Foothills Parkway would be closed starting Saturday afternoon and remain closed into Sunday morning. These closures are in effect to ensure visitor safety during the ongoing winter storm.
As the weather worsened, the Sugarlands and Oconaluftee Visitor Centers also closed by noon on Sunday. Park officials cited inclement weather as the reason for the closure, urging visitors to take precautions and avoid unnecessary travel in the park.
While the higher elevations of the park have experienced significant snowfall, East Tennessee’s lower elevations are expected to receive less than 1.5 inches of snow, with higher elevations seeing 2 to 3 inches.
Visitors planning to travel to the area are advised to check weather updates and road conditions before heading out, as conditions can change rapidly in the mountainous terrain.
