March 15, 2025

Howdy from the hilltop,

The winds are whipping! After a sunny and pleasant Friday, the script has flipped, with mountain dwellers waking up to a clouded summit and battering breezes. It’s going to be a sour weekend of weather, presenting plenty in the way of natural hazards that will deter wilderness rambles for many.

A High Wind Warning is currently in effect until 8:00 AM Sunday, with peak wind gusts of 80mph expected to hit this evening. A Red Flag Warning is also in effect from 8:00 AM this morning until 11:00 PM tonight due to the prolonged dry conditions and associated fire threat for the region. Skies will be mostly cloudy today, with spotty rain showers possible, while the heaviest of precipitation is slated to slam the mountains late tonight. Severe storms could produce several inches of heavy rainfall, which combined with the intense winds, can make a mess of the trails. As if that wasn’t enough, late Sunday night a drop in temperatures complimented by lingering precip could witness a transition from rain to snow showers. As of now, little to no accumulation is expected, especially since the ground will be retaining much of its warmth after this past week.

Both US 441 (Newfound Gap Rd) and Cherokee Orchard Rd are temporarily closed due to the hazardous conditions. This is likely to remain the case until the HWW concludes and NPS crews have had a chance to assess the roadways.

Stay safe out there!