How was the weather in '08?

[garlic08]

So how was 2008 in terms of weather?

I live out West and have very little experience with Eastern weather. I was surprised by two things on the AT last year--Spring blizzards and violent summer T-storms. I even got stopped by a flash flood in the Whites, a new experience for me. I did some sections in 2002 and didn't see anything like that, but I think '02 was a dry year.

So was 2008 a wet year? How would it compare to the last decade or so? I heard several times that the summer in New England was much wetter than normal, but was that enough to consider it a wet season overall? I also heard the South remained in drought conditions. So can you folks who live out there and spend lots of time on the AT let us know? I was an early finisher (mid-July) so I didn't spend as much time out there as some.

Thanks.

[Spogatz]

Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it...

[DavidNH]

well in the northern New England states (VT, NH, ME) the summer months of June, July, August where amongst the wettest on record. I think Northern NH and ME had rain every day for 20 days in June, or perhaps July. Not steady rain but thunderstorms that would drop buckets (of rain).

I would say that June is typically wet or at least moist. August normally is much drier.

One difference between east and west.. the air out west is dry (like what 30 % rel humidity?) typically in summer here in east it is far more humid (say 60-70 % humidity. I can't even imagine how god awful humid it must be in the deep south in summer.

David

[mudhead]

So how was 2008 in terms of weather?



Wet early summer in Maine. Seemed to even out with a dryer fall, for me. This site may give you some empirical data.

http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=car

Just for the record: The weather in Maine sucks. No one should ever bother to come here. Except for today. Yawl c'mon up.

[Jeff]

Vermont was very wet and muddy in 2008. I heard that pattern continued into NH and ME.

Fortunately, the Long Trail Festival in Rutand had decent weather in August.

[BigFoot2002]

'02 was a dry year

[nitewalker]

Here in NE Connecticut it seemed we had alot of wind and heavy rain thruout the course of the year. 08 seemed to be a rather mild year temperature wise in this neck of the woods.....

[Blissful]

We had great weather comparatively speaking for '07 it seems, though we did have some surprise snow in April. Over all though, not that much rain.

[boarstone]

Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it...

Amen!!!!....:D

[SGT Rock]

More water than '07. Springs in the TN/NC area are running about normal now.

[boarstone]

Garlic08: Weather here is about the same as out west, just a lot lower! Hence in wet seasons, lot more water crossings, higher water for longer, bugs bugs bugs...boggy areas turn to ponds, long springs mean late starts...snow lingers here on our higher peaks into June. We have quick rain events, sometimes not so quick...
Early fall brings wet, rain, snow, wind, cold...and good days to hike too. Trail not as exposed as out West..w/the exception of the Whites.
More IN the woods hiking...

[SteveJ]

<clip>I can't even imagine how god awful humid it must be in the deep south in summer.David

*thread drift on*

chuckle....I attempted a 50 mile/4 day trip on the AT in August 2 summers ago...had to get off after 30 miles - got dehydrated in spite of my efforts, which included forcing down 1L of water an hour...

90 degree, 90% humidity is not unusual in GA/FL/AL/LA....

*thread drift off* please resume your normal thread development....

[garlic08]

'02 was a dry year

My partner in '08 had also thru hiked in '02. He couldn't believe the difference. He said in '02 that he never once even got his feet wet on a creek ford. Last summer we had some marginally dangerous raging crossings and knee deep mud in places. It was like a different trail, which I guess is good for someone doing it a second time!

[Kanati]

Does the spring behind Derek Knob shelter dry up in late summer?

[SGT Rock]

I haven't seen it dry, but supposedly 07 it did.

[dmb658]

mid july to mid-late august, it did nothing but rain. it was horrible

[john gault]

It was around zero degrees on Springer in early March http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=24271&c=member&imageuser=6936 Very cool temps through SNP in May, even saw snow and a lot of freezing rain.

[Wheeler]

I started sobo June 21,and it seemed to rain almost all the time untill I got to Vt. All the nobo's told me it was full of mud,but it was drying up for me. I also missed the drought down south.By the time I got there it rained frequently and water was good. Mid-Nov.,started getting snow regularly from the S.N.P. south to springer with temps in the single digits but usually 20-40*.Finished Jan.13.(yeah, technically not an '08 thru-hike,LOT'S of zero's.

[Toolshed]

I don't remember much rain last year in the midatlantic - I remember a couple of dry springs in MD/PA last year.

I do remember 02 though - We had drought restrictions in PA & NJ. We als had township burning bans. I was leaving water at a few spots along the AT that summer, as well as bringing cold sodas to a couple of shelters and leaing them for hikers.

[garlic08]

I do remember 02 though - We had drought restrictions in PA & NJ. We als had township burning bans. I was leaving water at a few spots along the AT that summer, as well as bringing cold sodas to a couple of shelters and leaing them for hikers.

My wife (GreasePot) hiked in '02, and she mentioned the water caches. Thanks for doing that!

[Chaco Taco]

Geargia was wet!
Virginia was hot and humid and very very dry
NC/TN was awesome, great weather, still a little chilly at night
PA was cloudy, afternoon storms alot
NY was really hot
Mass and CT were wet
Vermont was nicknamed Vermud!
NH was AWESOME, great weather.
Maine was wet. i think we got the leavings of something like 3 tropical storms and hurricanes??

[Kirby]

Sure felt like it rained a lot, I know it did when I was in VT and ME.

[YoungMoose]

well in the northern New England states (VT, NH, ME) the summer months of June, July, August where amongst the wettest on record. I think Northern NH and ME had rain every day for 20 days in June, or perhaps July. Not steady rain but thunderstorms that would drop buckets (of rain).

I would say that June is typically wet or at least moist. August normally is much drier.

One difference between east and west.. the air out west is dry (like what 30 % rel humidity?) typically in summer here in east it is far more humid (say 60-70 % humidity. I can't even imagine how god awful humid it must be in the deep south in summer.

DavidI was in ME when it was doing that. I was on a 2 week backpacking course. Everyday out of no where rain just was pouring. everything was soken wet by the first night. after that i gave up trying to stay dry. i didnt even use my rain gear. i just kept my pack dry so that didnt weigh a ton. the trail was like a river in most areas. i had to forge 2 streams that were usually bone dry. But they were up to my waist. I considered that fun.

[MattBuck30]

GA was cold (low 20's at night) w/ lite snow. - March

NC/TN was cold and wet. Sunshine would come out every other day though - March/April

VA was hot and humid.dry most of the time. A few strong storms - May/June/July

WV/MD/PA/NJ/NY was hot. humid, but not as bad as down south. Dry for the most part. Water was scarce in PA - July/August

CT/MA/VT were cooler temps for the most part. Mosquitos were horrible in MA. Water sources were fine, but we had almost no rain. - August/September

NH had absolutely perfect weather. Sushine and temps in the 60's-70's. - Sept.

ME...rain and temps in the 40's the first ten days of our hike into Maine. Strong storms on Saddleback Mt. Most of the time Maine was cold, overcast, and wet. - October

[Gypsy"04"]

I started at Springer that year in late March and for 19 It was miserable out of 26 days from Springer to Hot Springs, we had rain, snow, sleet, wind and temps from the 30's to the 70's. We even had blizzard conditions going into Fontana. It was miserable, but I enjoyed it just the same.

[Gypsy"04"]

I started at Springer that year in late March and for 19 out of 26 days from Springer to Hot Springs, we had rain, snow, sleet, wind and temps from the 30's to the 70's. We even had blizzard conditions going into Fontana. It was miserable, but I enjoyed it just the same.