Christmas in Mitchell County felt like it did across much of the nation this past Sunday— frigid.
An arctic cold snap swept across much of the nation this past week, and Mitchell County was not spared.
On Thursday, Dec. 22, temperatures began to drop and an icy, wintry mix fell across much of the region. Temperatures fell rapidly into Friday, Dec. 23 when the high was 14 degrees and the low was 1 as scattered snow showers fell across the area. Christmas Eve didn’t offer much relief. The day was again bitterly cold with a high of 17 and a low of 6.
Winds gusted up to 50 miles per hour and some snow showers and flurries continued.
Christmas Day offered a meager warmup. Highs climbed to 26 and lows climbed to 10, but the winds died down. The sun poked out often during the day.
The stretch of cold weather brought the coldest temperatures observed in the area since January 2018, Rays Weather said.
The arctic outbreak brought the lowest temperatures in decades to some parts of the nation.
The National Weather Service issued wind chill alerts for more than 100 million people across the nation, even as far south as Florida.
The major winter storm and cold blast impacted nearly every state and the National Weather Service tabbed it as a “once in a generation type event” that crippled travel for many during one of the busiest travel times of the year.
Dangerously cold wind chill has the potential to cause frostbite on exposed skin within mere minutes.
In the wake of the coldest weather of the season in Mitchell County, Spruce Pine United Methodist is doing its best to help neighbors in need.
The church has a warming center housed in its fellowship hall. Anyone without heat for any reason is welcome to stay in the heated indoor area.
There is no charge to enter and no questions are asked other than requests for basic information.
During the cold snap, the “Beacon Center” at SPUMC flew its purple alert banners. Spruce Pine United Methodist is on Highway 226 South across from the Cruz-Thru.