View Full Version : Late September weather Damascus to Troutdale, VA?
whoopidoo
08-01-2013, 19:22
First post - so my apologies if this is buried somewhere in the forums, my search kung-fu was failing. I'm going to do a northbound hike from Damascus to Troutdale VA around the last week of September. I haven't had much luck finding anything other than in-town historical weather, so I can properly prepare. Can anyone let me know about what I should expect temperature-wise around that time of year?
illabelle
08-01-2013, 19:42
The website below is helpful for current forecasts at points along the trail. Not real helpful until your date gets closer. Weather in western NC should be similar. I hiked in the Smokies in mid-October last year, great weather, but a little chilly. The following weekend, hurricane Sandy blew through and dumped record amounts of snowfall. Welcome to WhiteBlaze!
http://www.sophiaknows.com/atdb/waypoints.php:)
FarmerChef
08-01-2013, 21:12
I've had beautiful weather in the Shennies in late October. Expect still warm temperatures, especially if we have an Indian summer. But be also prepared for some cold nights (say in the 30s) at elevation. Weather can also be wet and snow isn't out of the question but not all that typical unless you're up high (say Mt. Rogers, for instance). You best bet is to watch the weather as you get closer and then pack accordingly as you get near, understanding that the weather typically IS wrong more than 2 days out. For a late September start, I'd pack some gloves and a knit cap of some kind and a good base and possibly midweight layer. You're probably safe leaving the parka at home but pay attention to the weather. And be absolutely sure to have adequate rain gear. I've hiked down there in the Spring and a cold snap has come in with all day rain and having that rain gear was the difference between safe and warm and cold and hypothermic. Hope that helps.
whoopidoo
08-02-2013, 10:42
Thanks for the replies, these are both very helpful.
Day
Sunrise
Sunset
Avg.
High
Avg.
Low
Mean
Record
High
Record
Low
30
7:22 AM
7:12 PM
72°F
45°F
59°F
84°F (1971)
28°F (1967)
Temps for Damascus for September 30 - 1,910 feet in elevation,
Day
Sunrise
Sunset
Avg.
High
Avg.
Low
Mean
Record
High
Record
Low
30
7:21 AM
7:10 PM
70°F
43°F
57°F
80°F (1986)
28°F (2001)
Temps for Damascus for September 30 - 3,113 feet in elevation (according to the topo map)
http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/24378?climoMonth=9 (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/24378?climoMonth=9)
Last one should have read Troutdale not Damascus.....
Day
Sunrise
Sunset
Avg.
High
Avg.
Low
Mean
Record
High
Record
Low
30
7:21 AM
7:10 PM
70°F
43°F
57°F
80°F (1986)
28°F (2001)
Temps for Troutdale for September 30 - 3,113 feet in elevation (according to the topo map)
http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/24378?climoMonth=9 (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/daily/24378?climoMonth=9)
Another Kevin
08-02-2013, 13:05
Just a rule of thumb, but it usually works well: four degrees per thousand feet of elevation.
So at a guess, whatever the temperature is in Damascus, it'll be 4-5 degrees F cooler in Troutdale, and 6-8 degrees F colder still on the tops of the high ridges. (Also, figure 10 mph additional wind speed per thousand feet.)
This is just a rule of thumb, but you don't go far wrong betting on physics. (Google "adiabatic lapse rate" if you're curious.)