Extreme weather conditions have been aiding recovery efforts since Hurricane Helen devastated parts of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. But big changes are on the horizon.
A strong cold front is expected to move through the region this week, in contrast to recent calm conditions.
By Thursday morning, morning temperatures are expected to fall into the 30s, with daytime highs just shy of reaching the 50s, a far cry from mid-October weather, according to the FOX Prediction Center.
This cold snap will pose additional challenges to areas already suffering from hurricane damage, especially those without power or running water.
Higher elevations could also see their first snow of the season, with more than an inch of snow possible above 3,500 feet and peaks on mountains such as Clingmans Dome and Mount Guyot, according to the FOX Forecast Center. Several inches of accumulation is possible.
This winter's weather will further strain recovery efforts and increase the challenges faced by affected areas, but temperatures should begin to return to near normal by the end of this week.
