May 4, 2017

HIGH WIND WARNING

Good Morning Readers,
     We are under a High Wind Warning until 8:00 PM this evening.  Conditions on the mountain and throughout the park are hazardous to foot and vehicular traffic.  Park roads accessing Mt. LeConte (US 441 / Cherokee Orchard) are closed and will be until the weather event is over and the NPS has deemed them safe for public use.  Please reach out to the NPS with any park closure or weather related questions.  If you have upcoming lodge reservations and have concerns about the road or trail conditions, please contact our office.
     Our high temperature yesterday was 57 degrees with an overnight low of 41.  The winds returned with aggression at around 5:00 AM this morning.  Winds have consistently tapped 30-40 mph around camp.  In between the breaks, one can hear the howling above the crest of the mountain.  During the hike up to Cliff Tops, the steady winds were comparable to a steam engine locomotive. Sustained winds at Cliff Tops are ranging from 40-60 mph, with the occasional slightly stronger gust.  The most powerful show of force was an 87 mph blast that would send anyone off kilter. Numerous trees along the crest of the mountain are snapping and bowing under the pressure with large chunks of soil and rock getting uprooted.  The ground looks like a wave pool in places where the roots are fighting to hold firm.
     Please pay close attention to the forecasts in the coming days.  We want everyone choosing to visit the mountain to do so safely and well prepared for the conditions. Keep others informed of your intentions and know when to turn around if the elements turn sour.  We'll do our best to keep everyone appraised of the situation up here.  Thanks for checking in and have a great day.