View Full Version : Reliable Weather Source for Smokies?
Bulldawg
10-22-2008, 21:08
What is the best and most reliable weather forecast for the Smokies? I am talking about getting a fairly accurate forecast for the ridges that the AT traverses. I have been looking at forecasts for Gatlinburg and Cherokee, but I feel like these are close, but just not the best. What does everyone else use to get a good idea of what to expect up there? Thanks!
HikerRanky
10-22-2008, 21:10
This is the site (http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/MRX/RTPMRX) that I use....
Bulldawg
10-22-2008, 21:16
OK, that is a good start with a 24 hour forecast. I think I have seen that site before. I just know I have a hike planned up there for Saturday. But the wife is going and it is starting to look more and more like it is going to rain. I know she aint gonna hike in the rain. I don't really care, but I would much rather have some views after getting up at 5 in the morning and driving 2 1/2 hours to hike. I guess we could use that site and decide Friday night. But just for mine and other's future info, what else is out there folks use.
NOAA
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=GSP&llon=-84.057083&rlon=-83.057083&tlat=35.980417&blat=34.982917&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=157&map.y=93
Click the map to navigate
Johnny Swank
10-22-2008, 21:23
The weather in the Smokies, especially this time of year, is pretty much a crap shoot. I can appreciate wanting to know what the weather will bring, especially with a long drive in the picture, but hope, good raingear, and a smidge of luck are about the best you can get.
Tipi Walter
10-22-2008, 21:25
Live in the park as a roving backpacker for about 3 years and you'll be able to accurately forecast the next 24 hours worth of weather wherever you are. You just can't rely on the pinhead pundit weathermen, they pray for constant sunshine and dance gleefully as we wither in historic drought conditions. Once a week the Knoxville fear mongers call for rain and once a week it never comes. And in the winter when the temps dip to 20, they urgently warn viewers to stay indoors and stay safely ensconced away from the Demon Cold, as in, "Dangerously Cold."
In the summer they color-code the air pollution, and fear-seed viewers with more inane comments to stay indoors and not inhale. Ozone must be their favorite word for other names, things long and tight-lipped, fifty cent tunes even the fear-mongers won't say: sulfur dioxide, mercury, chlorofluorocarbons, VOCs, peroxyacetyl nitrate, and nitrogen oxides.
Bulldawg
10-22-2008, 21:28
Live in the park as a roving backpacker for about 3 years and you'll be able to accurately forecast the next 24 hours worth of weather wherever you are. You just can't rely on the pinhead pundit weathermen, they pray for constant sunshine and dance gleefully as we wither in historic drought conditions. Once a week the Knoxville fear mongers call for rain and once a week it never comes. And in the winter when the temps dip to 20, they urgently warn viewers to stay indoors and stay safely ensconced away from the Demon Cold, as in, "Dangerously Cold."
In the summer they color-code the air pollution, and fear-seed viewers with more inane comments to stay indoors and not inhale. Ozone must be their favorite word for other names, things long and tight-lipped, fifty cent tunes even the fear-mongers won't say: sulfur dioxide, mercury, chlorofluorocarbons, VOCs, peroxyacetyl nitrate, and nitrogen oxides.
Thanks!
greentick
10-23-2008, 05:02
Live in the park as a roving backpacker for about 3 years and you'll be able to accurately forecast the next 24 hours worth of weather wherever you are. You just can't rely on the pinhead pundit weathermen, they pray for constant sunshine and dance gleefully as we wither in historic drought conditions. Once a week the Knoxville fear mongers call for rain and once a week it never comes. And in the winter when the temps dip to 20, they urgently warn viewers to stay indoors and stay safely ensconced away from the Demon Cold, as in, "Dangerously Cold."
In the summer they color-code the air pollution, and fear-seed viewers with more inane comments to stay indoors and not inhale. Ozone must be their favorite word for other names, things long and tight-lipped, fifty cent tunes even the fear-mongers won't say: sulfur dioxide, mercury, chlorofluorocarbons, VOCs, peroxyacetyl nitrate, and nitrogen oxides.
That's a sweet rant Tipi! except you forgot the conspiracy the fear mongers run with the grocery stores during the winter...
Bulldawg
10-23-2008, 08:47
NOAA
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=GSP&llon=-84.057083&rlon=-83.057083&tlat=35.980417&blat=34.982917&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=157&map.y=93
Click the map to navigate
Thanks Egads, that was exactly what I was looking for.
Now ya'll help me pray and/or wish that rain to blow over them mountains by Saturday morning.
Ashepabst
10-23-2008, 10:28
The Tennessee counties all have smokies-specific forecasts. Of course the NOAA site is just awful to navigate so you have to play around with it. Maybe they have them for NC too, but I can't find it.
Sevier Area Smokies...
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ074
Blount Area Smokies...
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ072
Cocke Area Smokies...
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ041
NOAA
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=GSP&llon=-84.057083&rlon=-83.057083&tlat=35.980417&blat=34.982917&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=157&map.y=93
Click the map to navigate
keep in mind that New Found gap is one of the highest points. It can be snowing there and 60 somewhere else.
Might want to search for Townsend, Cosby or Gatlinburg. Often, the forecast still will reflect the Knoxville forecast.
I live in the area and the weather is far from an exact science.
My forecasts show rain today and Saturday and it is raining ow.
Doug
Bulldawg
10-24-2008, 11:50
All forecasts I can find now show the rain ending in the pre dawn hours Saturday. It needs to stay that way!!
Tennessee Viking
10-24-2008, 12:00
There is a NOAA station just up in Morristown, TN. You can also check Weatherbug and Weather.com for current temps within Maryille, Gatlinburg, and Newport areas. The weather station atop Cold Mtn can give you air quality conditions.
keep in mind that New Found gap is one of the highest points. It can be snowing there and 60 somewhere else.
Might want to search for Townsend, Cosby or Gatlinburg. Often, the forecast still will reflect the Knoxville forecast.
Doug
That is why I added the comment to click on the map. You can navigate on map for a point forecast.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=GSP&llon=-84.057083&rlon=-83.057083&tlat=35.980417&blat=34.982917&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=157&map.y=93
humunuku
10-24-2008, 17:37
http://www.wbir.com/weather/forecast/local/futurecast/default.aspx
trouthunter
10-24-2008, 19:10
Carry an Altimeter and learn how to use it, it will be an accurate predictor of weather no matter where you are, and you will be self reliant.
If you are interested I can post some info.
Otherwise, use a weather rock. They work real good for up to the minute weather reports.
Directions for weather rock:
1. Find a small round rock and place in a convenient place for observing it.
2. If the rock is dry and warm - It's sunny
3. If the rock is cold - Well it's cold
4. If the rock is wet - It's raining
5. If the rock is dancing - The wind is blowing
6. If the rock is gone - Run like heck
Bulldawg
10-24-2008, 21:41
That is why I added the comment to click on the map. You can navigate on map for a point forecast.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=GSP&llon=-84.057083&rlon=-83.057083&tlat=35.980417&blat=34.982917&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=157&map.y=93
Right Egads. You gave me exactly what I was looking for. Not some smart answer like some of the others have. Thanks for the help!