June 13, 2024

Good Morning,

Still a week to go before its official, but all signs indicate summer is already here in the Smokies. Skies are a mix of sun and clouds, views toward the horizon are hazy, temps are hot and humid, the landscape is green, and the crowds are out in force. Now and through the weekend, it’s a safe bet that Mt. LeConte will be the target of many as an escape from the toasty and sticky conditions down below. Temps in the upper 60s sound delightful when trying to find some reprieve, and a visit to the lodge fits the bill.

Although there is still plenty of sunshine in the cards for the next several days, forecasts have gotten more summer-like as well for what our region is accustomed to. Clear in the morning, cloud-building during the early afternoon, then the possibility of a stray shower or thunderstorm around supper time, eventually clearing just in time for a rainbow over High Top and a visible sunset from Cliff Tops. So even though the precip percentages are minimal now and over the weekend, it’s still wise to have that poncho or umbrella packed just in case. Since we’ve gone a few days without any rain, trails are nice and dry now, save for the handful of places where rocks or drainages tend to weep regularly.

Have a great day.