What can I realistically expect weather wise/trail condition wise starting the GSNP/ Smokies say April 4th-April 10th????? (south to north)
MuddyWaters
01-20-2016, 22:33
April is transition month.
Weather can be literally anything from 70 F to 5 F, sun and clear trail to deep snow
Plan on winter gear still.
http://www.outragegis.com/weather/grsm/climograph.jpg
Expect anything. Snow, rain, sleet, ice, fog... or could be warm or even hot and muggy. It's the mountains after all. They make their own weather.
4eyedbuzzard
01-20-2016, 22:46
No one can predict the weather. That said:
Here's a link to a temperature chart by ATC that is no longer on the web (likely due to liability concerns). http://web.archive.org/web/200504091...plan/temp.html (http://web.archive.org/web/20050409143931/http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hike/plan/temp.html)
Here's a link to a site with historical weather data http://weather-warehouse.com/Weather...DataStart.html (http://weather-warehouse.com/WeatherHistoryListing/monthlyWeatherDataStart.html) There is weather data for Mt LeConte if you drill down to Gatlinburg and the first listed Mt Leconte station.
1) Note that you must correct temperatures for elevation. Typically this assumes that temp is theoretically lower by 3.5°F per 1000 ft of elevation gained. It can actually be a bit more or less. You will typically be at 4000 to 6000 ft while in GSMNP. The Mt Leconte data should already represent your typical weather while at elevation in GSMNP.
2) It will generally be windier and wetter in the mountains than in valleys. Allow for wind chill in terms of comfort, plan to stay dry, and know what to do if you do get wet. Hypothermia is a real danger.
3) Normal daily temperature variations in any given month and year are roughly +/- 20°F from the average highs/lows. The reality is that in April on any given day/night you could see anything from the single digits at night to a sunny 80 degrees during the day, cold rain is almost guaranteed in April, and snow is a definite possibility.
4) Most sleeping bag ratings, like the EN13537 standard, already assume the person is wearing a base layer, socks, and hat. Don't forget the need for a good insulating pad as well, especially if sleeping on a shelter floor. Factor in that some people "sleep warm", and others "sleep cold". Stay hydrated and eat a snack before sleeping - it's fuel for your body's furnace.
5) A tent will usually be warmer than an open shelter by 5 to 10°F. Shelter floors and structures are cold (heat sinks) and don't block the wind fully.
6) If you're going to error, error on the side of it will be cold AND wet.
What would I plan for as a section hiker with the flexibility thru-hikers don't have? Lows in the teens/20's, highs in the 50's (highs aren't really relevant for planning), mix of rain and sun. But I'd have a back-up/bail out plan if a cold spring storm hit. If I were a thru-hiker, I'd want to be able to handle single digit/low teens, and/or have the funds necessary to bail to town and wait out a storm/cold snap/heavy snow. Not likely but possible.