Mid NOVEMBER Smoky Mountains
Bad idea? Too cold? Snow? Thoughts please. Thank you!
Last edited by TSWisla; 09-01-2019 at 15:53.
not really...
it can be cold one week---warm the next week...
and more than likely, no snow....
Exactly what I wanted to hear! Can you recommend what clothes I should bring? I was thinking long pants, long sleeved shirt, puffer and long johns and hat for night. Anything else?
Really important to know what elevation. Can vary by over 3,000' and that makes all the difference (also roads potentially closed up high, no bail out, etc., besides). It's not as simple as saying "in the Smokeys."
There's even special weather forecasting for the "upper elevations."
[I]ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: ... Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit....[/I]. Numbers 35
[url]www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker[/url]
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I would like to start at Newfound Gap and head North and out of the park. At least to I-40. Can you provide the website for the special forecasts? Thank you.
It is lots easier to camp at lower elevations in the Smokies if a hard freeze is forcast. Wet boots freeze overnight, any spare water not in sleeping bag freezes, and water filters don't work either if frozen. Plan for the worst or go based on milder weather forcast. Tent camping will be warmer than a shelter too unless someone builds a fire. Remember, no tenting allowed at shelters either.
We did the southern half of the AT (NFG to Fontana) in mid-October one year. We had chilly mornings, but generally very pleasant weather. I would expect early November to be similar. Of course, if your trip is over Thanksgiving, it could be quite a bit cooler.Originally Posted by TSWisla
Could also be an early season snowstorm, like in 2014 when the higher elevations got over a foot during the first week of November. You'll want to be prepared for snow and ice.
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Formerly uhfox
Springer to Bear Mountain Inn, NY
N Adams, MA to Clarendon VT
Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch
There is also https://www.atweather.org/. A lot of hikers on the trail use this one.
This time of year as seasons change so does the weather.Get your daily forecasts via a NOAA weather radio.No cell service needed for a small radio with several NOAA bands.
Sleep on the ground, rise with the sun and hike with the wind....
It can be anything at that time. Watch the weather forecast carefully and follow it daily up until the day you leave. Make last minute adjustments as required.
Definitely keep 'anything' in mind as you prepare. My first trip down there was in late October, and the night before we got on the trail it hit 7 degrees at Clingmans dome. As I recall it got down to about 13 at Walnut Bottom campground that first night for us.
At the highest elevations, night-time lows can go below freezing as early as September, but it likely won't be that cold until sometime in October. By November, the climate data published by GSMNP indicates night time lows at the highest elevations averages below freezing.
For the last several years, I've usually been trying to do a two night hike around Veteran's day. I'm usually at mid to lower elevations and the weather is usually cold but now below freezing. But that wasn't the case last year.
Beyond that, the best I can tell you is to read over the GSMNP weather page. It lists the average hi/lo temps I referenced, by month, for both low elevations and Clingman's Dome. The "typical" weather is +/- 15º from these averages, with extreme conditions being +/25º.
My first ever hike in the Smokies was over Thanksgiving. First two nights were like August summer nights. Third night front moved in and dumped several inches of snow. Last two days spent post holing.
I am not young enough to know everything.
Dang. My plans have changed it IF I go, it would be the day after Thanksgiving. Ugh. I may need to rethink this and perhaps wait for spring. Such a bummer.
Sorry it took a while for me to get to this laptop, but better late than never?--
GSMNP High Country Forecast
Scroll about halfway down for weekly forecast. Also has webcams, monthly averages, and other goodies. It's my "go to" site for all things Smokies' weather.
[I]ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: ... Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit....[/I]. Numbers 35
[url]www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker[/url]
.
Another sight that zeros in on a particular mountain and includes links for various elevations:
https://www.mountain-forecast.com/
Thank you everyone, very much appreciate your help!
Marking for posterity. Thanks for the links Rainman and HKDK
nous défions
It's gonna be ok.
Ditch Medicine: wash your hands and keep your booger-pickers off your face!
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