August 8, 2024

Good Afternoon,

Well if there was sunshine yesterday, it sure seemed to struggle to find us. The clouds that covered the summit in the morning never really let go. It appears we are destined for more of the same today. Aside from some splendidly clear views at times this morning, the clouds pounced on the peaks shortly after sunrise to smother the lodge once again. We even had ourselves a few rain showers during the night in case anyone is wondering why trails are a bit damp. Speaking of rain, the tropical storm currently churning up the east coast will have its closest brush with the Smokies late this afternoon. An outer band or two of the cyclone might graze over the mountain bringing brief showers and breezy conditions. Otherwise, that’ll be the extent of it, so nothing too concerning about its impact on trails and roads. Temps will continue to hover between mid 50s and mid 60s, especially if the sun remains obstructed. We have another slight chance of precip tomorrow before heading into what should be a stunning and clear weekend.

Several area schools are back in session beginning today. So anyone visiting the national park now and through the rest of the year should factor in school zone traffic when planning their routes to and from trailheads. This also means that with families’ summer vacations wrapping up, peak visitation to the Smokies will most often occur on the weekends as opposed to being spread out during the week. Just something else to consider when visiting the area and considering when it’s best for you to tackle Mt. LeConte.

​Have a great day.