Stream Levels Are Dropping But Will Remain Higher Than Normal On Steep Creeks Draining The High Knob Massif & On Mainstem Rivers Today
Overnight Into Mid-Morning
Flurries & light snow showers, then decreasing clouds into the morning. NW winds 5 to 10 mph, with higher gusts, below 2700 feet. NW-N winds 10-15 mph, with higher gusts, along mountain ridges above 2700-3000 feet. Turning colder. Temperatures dropping into the 10s to lower 20s, with lower to middle 10s at highest elevations. Wind chills falling into the teens, except single digits above & below zero at highest elevations overnight into morning. Any accumulations are expected to be light.
This Afternoon
Mostly sunny & chilly. Light NNW-N winds. Temperatures varying from the 20s across upper elevations to the lower to middle 30s ( milder in valleys of the Clinch, Powell, Holston rivers toward the Tri-Cities ).
Tonight Into Saturday Morning
Mostly clear. Some high clouds possible overnight. Colder. N winds shifting SSE-SW at 5-10 mph on middle elevation mountain ridges & plateaus below 2700 feet. Winds SW-W at 5-15 mph, with higher gusts, on ridges above 2700 feet. Minimum temperatures ranging in the 20s across exposed mid-upper elevation ridges & plateaus, with 10s in colder mountain valleys ( with calm winds ). Wind chill factors in the 10s on mountain ridges ( single digits to lower 10s at highest elevations ).
Weather Discussion ( February 4-5 )
A notable chill was in the Thursday air on northerly winds and abundant clouds. It was plain cold in the High Knob Massif where I spent part of the afternoon.
Whitewater On Benges Branch of Powell River – High Knob Massif – Feb 4
Although water levels have come way down, it continues to gush on all creeks draining the High Knob Massif. Caution is advised.
Colorful Waterfall Outcrop on Tributary of Robinette Branch – Feb 4
Temperatures remained below freezing all afternoon at the highest elevations, with mid 30s to around 40 degrees at lower to middle elevations north of the massif area.
Nora 4 SSE – Site of Official NWS Cooperative Station – Elevation 2650 feet
Some flurries and light snow is falling during this early overnight from Clintwood to High Knob. Accumulations, if any, are expected to be light ( as the forecast indicates ).
JKL Doppler At 1:01 AM Friday – February 5, 2016
Although snow will not amount to much of anything, cold air is plentiful and making conditions feel like it is below zero degrees at summit levels of the High Knob Massif and Black Mountain during this early overnight ( in gusts ).
Black Mountain MesoNET
Temperatures are in the 20s in Norton-Wise & Clintwood.
Lonesome Pine Airport at 1:35 AM Friday – February 4, 2016
Seasonably cold and mostly dry conditions will rule this weekend before snow and colder air begins to take over during early-middle portions of this coming week.
