GSMNP Weather Help

imported
#1

Hey everybody,

Couple of questions for those that live near the Smokies. I'm heading back to the trail this coming may, but I've got spring break coming up 2 weeks from now. I'm thinking maybe I'll do the smokies over the break, give me something to do instead of just sitting around the house for 12 days. The question is I've been hearing some pretty wild stories lately about the weather up on the hill. How bad is it up there? And has anybody heard the forcast for the next few weeks? Everything I've been able to find stops about 10 days out, but I have to make a decision before that. I'm looking at the 12th through the 21st.

Thanks for the Help

BearKat

BearKat

#2

I am not an expert on AT hiking but I think this might help you. It is hard for anyone to predict weather more than a couple of days in advance with useable accuracy. Assume the very worst weather and prepare for that. Assume you will have a few nights of below zero wind chills at night. You might get great days, you might get blizzard conditions. Remember this area of the US gets some of the highest levels of precip which can mean cold rain or snow very likely. Not trying to deter your hike, but if you go, just be prepared totally.

Cheers,
Blake

GPSBlake

#3

I live just outside the Park at about 2000’ elevation.
We’re having 55-60F temps with rain for the next couple of days. If its 50 here, its 40 up at Clingman’s…thats what I plan for, just check out the forcast for any nearby town and subtract 10 degrees for a general idea of the higher elevations temps. But like Blake said assume the worse. April '93 was bad!

9Mules

#4

Hey Muley, I remember that one too!! Had 30 inches at my house 16 miles north of Murphy. I remember that several Hikers were trapped in the Smokies and had to be rescued. Seems like it was a college or outward bound group, something like that…a lot of people thought they were dead, but thier leader got them out alive. anyway, for whoever is reading this, expect rain, heat, rain, cold, rain and more cold, in that order. and it can be be at both extremems just miles apart or at different elevations. so be a boy (or girl) scout, and be prepared.

Big Dee