December 1, 2019

Good morning friends,

The temperatures ranged from a high yesterday of 45 degrees and a low last night of 40 degrees The current temperature this morning is 40 degrees, we had 2.1 inches of precipitation and currently it’s cloudy and raining this morning.

The weather forecast is calling for a significant chance of snow beginning tonight and lasting through much of Monday. The Smokies could see as much as 9” of snowfall, with less out in the TN valley. It is likely that US 441 through will get closed in advance of the pending storm.

I wanted to share something that happened on the trails here on LeConte Friday evening. We had a lost/missing hiker. It’s a situation that could have easily had a tragic ending but thanks to the amazing members of the National Park Service Search and Rescue Team there was a happy ending. The Team searched late into the night and didn’t stop until they located and brought the hiker safely back. I had the chance to meet members of the team and see the dedication and skills they possess first hand. If you ever get a chance to meet any of them, please tell them how much they are appreciated. They are real heroes and lifesavers.

I share this with you to remind everyone that these mountains are majestic, they’re beautiful, inspiring and sometimes dangerous. I recommend everyone enjoy it but exercise caution when hiking. Be prepared for the unexpected, be familiar with your chosen trail and always be properly equipped. We want you to enjoy this wonderful mountain but more than that we want you to be safe.