an observation on weather in a particular point on the trail

[Olustee bus]

I look at a weather map every morning very early. I notice that there is one place in the southeast that gets more rain or snow than any other area. When there is not rain or snow anywhere, it is often in this particular spot. I am pretty sure the trail goes right through the area. It is just west of Clingman's dome. Here is a screen print that I made a few weeks ago.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff181/busfran/smokymtnrain_zpsf7e42296.jpg

I am amazed at this phenomenon.

[daddytwosticks]

That's those tall mountain peaks squeezing the water out of the sky! Welcome to Whiteblaze. :)

[Olustee bus]

Yeah, I am guessing that water vapor is coming in and is blocked by a series of high peaks. IT is amazing that nowhere else will there be rain or snow in the winter except there.

[rocketsocks]

Cool observation there Olustee bus, I'd be interested to see this reported again in the future...keep em comin, and :welcome


to white blaze.

[Kerosene]

Looks as if that is probably Thunderhead, just south of Clingmans Dome. That was the only place I ran into the vestage of an early Fall snowstorm in October 2011, with a fair amount of snow still left in shaded areas on the western edge of the ridge 3 days after the storm went through.

[max patch]

Its probably a false echo.

Rather than try to explain here is a link you may find interesting:

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/247/

[rocketsocks]

Its probably a false echo.

Rather than try to explain here is a link you may find interesting:

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/247/Cool site Max Patch, hadn't seen this site before. I'm wondering if this anomaly could maybe be The Latent heat of evaporation...it's fun to think about....the weather.


http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/19/ (http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/19/)

[Another Kevin]

Knife edge ridges with exposed rock are great places for making phantom echoes on radar. I understand there are a few of those in the Smokies. My guess is that it's an artifact and not precipitation.

[Olustee bus]

Very well could be a false echo. Here it is tonight. There is rain headed that way but it appears to be raining at that area early.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff181/busfran/raininsmokie_zps0d9420d1.jpg

[Olustee bus]

Another image from March 16. If you notice on the first image, it was snowing. On the last two images it was raining. It it were only a false echo, seems like it would always be one or the other. I think it may be a combination of a false echo (most of the time) and an actual meteorolical event such as rain or snow. It is just weird to me.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff181/busfran/raininsmokie2_zpsd63da7a7.png

[rocketsocks]

I'm noticing on a map that the area you've indicated is right before clingmans dome, it looks like air could be being funneling up a valley to the west and precipitate out where it reaches it's highest point at the peak,somewhere around Thunderhead Mt.??? again, fun to think about.

[yellowsirocco]

Maybe that is why it is called Thunderhead?

From Wikipedia

The mountain's name originated in the 19th century. It probably referred to the unpredictable weather that often strikes the higher elevations in the Smokies. According to Laura Thornborough, a writer who hiked to the summit of Thunderhead along with local guide Sam Cook in the 1930s:
"As we proceeded in a near-gale to Rocky Top, the first of the three major peaks of Thunderhead, Sam remarked, "It'll be thunderin' and lightnin' on Thunderhead when it's clear on every other peak on top o' Smoky, and that's how hit got its name."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderhead_Mountain

[rocketsocks]

Maybe that is why it is called Thunderhead?

From Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderhead_Mountain


Good find yellowsirocco!

[Olustee bus]

thanks yellowsirocco and onesock. What you both described is what I suspected. I don't doubt that a false echo may be involved but I do believe it is often a weather phenomenon.