Freezing rain and snow closes roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park

While today's slightly warmer temperatures in the Smoky Mountains may be a welcome relief to some, the light freezing rain and snow is making local roads treacherous stranding motorists and closing US 441 - Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and The Foothills Parkway East which connects I-40 and State Road 321 in Cosby Tennessee.

Road conditions were so bad today a stretches of I-40 and I-81 were closed and yesterday a section of I-75 was closed due to icy conditions which caused numerous vehicular accidents.

Drivers must remain cautious on roads that are open as dangerous icy conditions can appear suddenly on bridges and overpasses. Bridges and overpasses tend to be become slippery far sooner than surrounding sections of roadways as the cold air underneath the roadway can cause these areas to freeze rapidly.

Snow and freezing roan is predicted today as well as on Monday and Tuesday which could keep Newfound Gap Road and the Foothills Parkway closed for the next few days or subject to closing daily.

Freezing rain makes numerous roads in The TN Smokies extremely hazardous

This morning's freezing rain in the eastern Tennessee Smokies has turned numerous roads into virtual skating rinks for cars causing dozens of wrecks.

Most predictions call for the high possibility of freezing rain until 10:00 am or later this morning so travel is strongly advised until late this afternoon.

Freezing rain has caused roadways in Newport, Knoxville and Maryville and throughout the entire region to ice not just bridges and underpasses which high a higher likelihood of icing up during the winter.

Winter storm road closures in the Great Smoky Mountains national park

The Smoky Mountains had its share of cold weather; snow and freezing rain the past few days prompting road closures in the Great Smoky Mountains National park. Driving the steep winding roads in the GSM national park is enough of a challenge without snow and ice on the road.

Fortunately the main thoroughfare Newfound Gap Road (US 441) is now safe for travel and has now been opened again so drivers can drive through the national park from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC.

The Cataloochee section of the park near Maggie Valley North Carolina is completely shut off however as both the main entrance road to Cataloochee and Old 284 connection Big Creek to Cataloochee are both closed due to snow and ice.

Forge Creek Road in Cades Cove Tennessee remains closed due to hazardous conditions.