View Full Version : How warm in April from Springer for through the Smokies???
colorado_rob
03-20-2013, 20:50
Seems like a lot of questions about how cold it will be, but here's a reverse question: How warm do I have to worry about it being for the first couple hundred miles, starting early April? Do I have to "sweat" about mid-day highs above, say, 80 degrees, or will such days be rare or non-existent? I'm fine tuning my hiking clothes.
Any thoughts appreciated.
bigcranky
03-20-2013, 21:02
You might get some days in the 70s or even the low 80s by the end of April or early May. Not many. And it cools off quickly in the evening.
takethisbread
03-20-2013, 21:07
Temps vary from 75 to 25 . Very cold at night. Rains a lot. Makes it feel colder. Snow too.
The Smokies in early April is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get.
colorado_rob
03-21-2013, 11:22
Thanks folks, sounds like if it doesn't get into the 80s or above, I can get by with just my long hiking pants. I don't need shorts or zip-off's until close to VA, late April/Early May. Again, thanks! (again, I'm not concerned about the cold/wet/snow, I'm prepared for that, it's the heat that will wear me down!)
bigcranky
03-21-2013, 13:09
Oh, man, I can't hike in long pants any time of the year. April and May are made for hiking in shorts. Highs in the 50s and 60s, lows in the 30s and 40s (maybe some nights in the 20s.)
Have a great hike.
johnnybgood
03-21-2013, 13:44
So far this cold winter weather still has a firm grip on the mid Atlantic.
NOAA's spring outlook seems to think we'll see a distinct warm up in a few weeks,above average temps mid April.
With that being said , I am looking forward to hiking with less clothes ,ie shorts and short sleeve poly shirt
Still could see lows in the 20's in the Smokey's at night.
Seems like a lot of questions about how cold it will be, but here's a reverse question: How warm do I have to worry about it being for the first couple hundred miles, starting early April? Do I have to "sweat" about mid-day highs above, say, 80 degrees, or will such days be rare or non-existent? I'm fine tuning my hiking clothes.
Any thoughts appreciated.
In 2010, leaving from Amicalola on 4/9 and arriving in Hot Springs on 5/1, I had mostly cool hiking days (say 40 degrees in AM warming to 55-65) but with occasional high 70's and a few nights below freezing. So best to be prepared for a fairly wide temperature range.
broken arrow
03-21-2013, 16:50
warm in the valleys. cold on top
My coldest night during my thru was 8 degrees at Ice Water Spring Shelter. The date was April 20.