It’s officially the half-way point of the 2024 season! In some ways it seems like it sneaked up on us quickly, but there’s still a big ole chunk of time left for folks to hike on up and partake of the Lodge’s 100th season. Expect plenty of travelers to flock to the Smokies these last few days of the month as families’ summer vacations come to a close. Although traffic numbers to the region might subside some once the calendar jumps into August, the hot and humid temps aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
This mountain is no stranger when it comes to the weather being feast or famine. Take this month for example. Over the first 2.5 weeks of July, the summit barely accounted for 0.6” of rain, leading to earlier than usual drought-like conditions across the mountain after a parched June also. But in the last week, the pendulum swung intensely the other direction, with total rainfall exceeding more than 7”. Soils have reached enough of a saturation point that even yesterday’s light but steady rain kept trails and pathways in a river-like state all day and night. Partly cloudy skies this morning have allowed for those levels to subside, so until the next round rolls in, hikers shouldn’t have to be concerned about soaked feet or sketchy creek crossings. The forecast has turned more favorable for today and tomorrow, which should please the weekend warriors. Not that we’re expecting sun-filled skies, but the possibilities for afternoon rain have lessened substantially until Sunday at least. The trend of temps at the peaks from 50s-60s will persist.
Have a great day.
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