mid-May start near Front Royal

[Trish]

My hiking partner and I will pick up our northbound section hike this spring just south of Front Royal, Virginia. I have questions about weather, mainly about the potential for very cold weather at mid-May. Can anyone out there give some general info about what to expect?

[Spirit Walker]

You aren't likely to get really cold weather then. What you will probably get is rain. May is very changeable. You'll get some fairly hot days and some in the 60's. Bring a rain jacket and something warm to change into after a day hiking in the rain.

[Trish]

Thanks Spirit Walker-will do on the gear.

[johnnybgood]

Lows in the 40's in higher elevation possible, likely 50's north of Shenandoah National Park.

[Tuckahoe]

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...0?climoMonth=5

Here's a link just to add to what johnnybgood said. The thing about May is that you can experience some pretty warm days, even up to the high 80s and low 90s is not unheard of, and then drop down to the high 40s low 50s at night.

[johnnybgood]

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...0?climoMonth=5

Here's a link just to add to what johnnybgood said. The thing about May is that you can experience some pretty warm days, even up to the high 80s and low 90s is not unheard of, and then drop down to the high 40s low 50s at night.

Thanks Tuckahoe for a link. I was going on prior experience but good to have data .

[fredmugs]

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...0?climoMonth=5

Here's a link just to add to what johnnybgood said. The thing about May is that you can experience some pretty warm days, even up to the high 80s and low 90s is not unheard of, and then drop down to the high 40s low 50s at night.

The thing about the weather channel (or any forecast) is expect the low to be about 10 degrees colder where you set up camp (plus 3 degrees colder per 1,000 foot gain on average). When I did SNP in mid May I was looking at forecasted lows around 50 and it got down to 40 every night. Froze my tookas off.

[henry g wilgo]

great point to make