AA^3: What's the Weather like in the Smokies?

What's the weather like out there Chivo?

From Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service
Spring
March through May: Spring brings with it unpredictable weather. Changes occur rapidly - sunny skies can yield to snow flurries in a few hours. March is the month with the most radical changes; snow can fall at any time during the month, particularly in the higher elevations. Temperatures in the lower elevations have a mean high of 61ºF. Low temperatures, which are often below freezing, have a mean of 42ºF. By mid-April the weather is usually milder. Daytime temperatures often reach the 70s and occasionally the 80s. Below freezing temperatures at night are uncommon in the lower elevations but still occur higher up. April averages over four inches of rain, usually in the form of afternoon showers. May is warmer, with daytime highs in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 40s and 50s. May rainfall averages about 4.5 inches.

So how do we prep for this unpredictable weather?

We come prepared!  I think we'll be able to avoid any flurries since we will be there in May.  I don't think it's bathing suit weather yet, but we can atleast wear shorts.  It might be smart for us to bring light weight jackets or sweatshirts cuz it looks like it can get kinda chilly at night.  We may also want to pack an emergency poncho in our bags if we go hiking or an umbrella.  If it's anything like my last roadtrip, it rained like everyday around 5ish.  We also need to remember that when we are hiking, the higher we go, the cooler it gets.  At Clingman's Dome, a high elevation area, the high in May is 57 degrees.  brrr.  Although, I think I just found a new place I wanna check out when I go.  Clingman's Dome looks pretty cool and it's the highest point in the Smokies.  Wow.

Clingman's Dome

Did You Know?

There are at least 30 different species of salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This gives the Smokies the distinction of having the most diverse salamander population anywhere in the world and has earned the park the nickname “Salamander Capital of the World.”