MORRISTOWN—The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the area, including Cocke County, late tonight through Friday evening.

According to the watch, a wintry mix of precipitation can be expected. Freezing rain and sleet can be expected across southeast Tennessee, extreme southwest North Carolina and central East Tennessee, including the Northern Cumberland Plateau, with the precipitation likely changing to all rain before ending.

Ice accumulations of a tenth to a quarter of an inch may be possible. Further to the north, across far Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, the precipitation is expected to start as snow and sleet...gradually mixing with or changing to freezing rain and possibly rain. Snow accumulations of up to 2 or 3 inches and ice accumulations of around a tenth of an inch will be possible in these areas.

Accumulating ice and snow may pull down trees and power lines in some areas. Localized to widespread power outages are possible.

Residents are urged to monitor updated forecasts.