Good Morning,
Sunny streaks and wispy clouds jockey for position this morning as dawn breaks over the mountains. Those folks waking up to juncos chirping with coffee in hand, or eager hikers cinching up pack straps before setting foot on trail are going to enjoy a delightful start to the day and new week. But travelers should avoid getting lulled into thinking today will be pleasant from sunup to sundown, as the atmosphere is expected to turn quite turbulent this afternoon. Strong winds gusting up to 40mph and bouts of heavy rain will flare up over East Tennessee and remain a nagging presence well into the night. Visitors to the summit, whether overnighting or simply making a quick stop, should all take care of business early today to avoid getting caught out in any of nature’s nastiness. Once we endure what’s forecast today, Tuesday should be much more to everyone’s liking for outdoor exploration. While the sun is out, high temps should step close to upper 60s today. Be extra mindful of one’s surroundings today once the weather turns, as we’ve seen plenty of creeks rise and trees topple already this summer. Have a great day.
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Good Morning,
It turned out to be a superbly sunny Saturday in the Smokies, and as one would expect, it brought the crowds out to play in the park. The upper elevation breezes and cool creeks sure hit the spot when trying to find reprieve from the relentless heat and humidity of summer. Conditions up top are going to be a mix of sun clouds this morning, with strong chances for severe thunderstorms by this afternoon. The same story is in the cards for Monday as well. Precip could be heavy at times, and winds are also expected to crank it up a notch, gusting as much as 20mph today and 40mph tomorrow. Temps will continue to be warm at the lodge in the upper 60s, but the breezy air and dampness from rain will undoubtedly make it feel cool to those unaccustomed. So remember your layers for staying dry on trail and warm at the top once your body has adjusted after making the ascent. As the season creeps into the back half of summer, plants and trees begin to produce fruit and nuts. A primary natural food source for numerous creatures in the national park. More notably for the famous black bear, so it is not unusual to witness heightened bear activity as they forage both high and low for plentiful sustenance. What they shouldn’t eat? The cookies, crackers, and orange peels of human hikers for example. GSMNP has helpful and informative literature discussing black bears on their official website, and every visitor is highly encouraged to check it out before coming to the Smokies. If you come across unusual bear behavior (or unacceptable human behavior around bears), please report it to the NPS. Have a great day. Good Morning,
It’s cool and cloudy at the upper elevations this Friday morning. After a solid 24 hours of steady rain in the mountains yesterday, the last of the precip is finally dissipating. The rough weather appears to have done a number on Roaring Fork, toppling some trees along the one-way road. NPS crews will be working to clear the obstructions today, but in the meantime visitors will not be able access Trillium Gap Trail from the upper Grotto Falls parking area. US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) and Cherokee Orchard are still in good shape. The lodge is anticipating mostly cloudy conditions the rest of today with gradual clearing of skies leading into what should be a beautiful Saturday. Temps will waste no time in ascending back to their summer like norms, seeing lower 60s today and close to 70° tomorrow. Trails could be a slog these next several hours after a full day of rain until the sun and warmth can help dry things out. Have a great day. Good Morning,
August started out sunny and dry for the mountain, but now the clouds and rain have returned in earnest. A few downpours have already rolled through since last night, and now the next two days appear to be soakers. Heavy rain at times combined with breezy conditions will be the norm for the Smokies today and tomorrow. Temps will also be taking a dip, as the high at the lodge today is unlikely to escape the 50s. Layers for staying dry and warm will be essential in these wet and windy conditions. Even in the summer months, the mountaintop can still experience some interesting variations in temperature. Take this July for example, where our high reading came in at 75° one day and an overnight low of 39° occurred on another. So come prepared for the weather and sloppy trail conditions now and into the weekend. Have a great day. |
LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
May 2024
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