Rugged Mountain Flank of High Knob Massif – October 2014
October 2014 was milder and much wetter than average.
Climate Statistics
( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W – Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 63.9 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 41.1 degrees
MEAN: 52.5 degrees
Highest Temperature: 78 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 30 degrees
Rainfall: 5.36″
2014 Precipitation: 44.21″
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton – Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 62.3 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 39.1 degrees
MEAN: 50.7 degrees
Highest Temperature: 77 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 26 degrees
*Rainfall: 8.24″
2014 Precipitation: 47.66″
*Wettest October On Record ( since 1983 )
( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE – Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 62.2 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 47.0 degrees
MEAN: 54.6 degrees
Highest Temperature: 77 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 34 degrees
Rainfall: 5.87″
2014 Precipitation: 40.34″
Big Cherry Lake of High Knob Massif – October 2014
October 2014 was especially wet across upper elevations of the High Knob Massif, with a general 9.00″ to 10.00″+ of total rainfall.
Superintendent Gary Hampton, of the Big Stone Gap Water Plant, reported 9.40″ at Big Cherry Dam and 8.91″ at the Water Plant down in South Fork Gorge ( above Cracker Neck of Powell Valley ).
*This was the most October rainfall reported in the High Knob Massif area since around 7.00″+ fell in Maple Gap during October 2002. This is typically the driest month of the year in this area.
South Fork of Powell River Gorge – Big Stone Gap Water Plant
Although the best color in upper elevations was observed during the October 4-17 period, this was an atypically long color season that varied from conditions that never really peaked at the main summit of the massif ( likely due to so much wind driven rain ) to color which lingered through late month amid lower elevations and sheltered locations.
It was a brilliant color show in the massif off the highest peaks.
Beautiful Autumn Colors & Reflections At Upper Norton Reservoir – High Knob MassifVivid Autumn Colors In High Knob Massif – October 2014Little Stony Creek Valley of High Knob Massif – October 2014Little Stony Creek Whitewater – Little Stony Gorge of High Knob Massif – October 2014
Autumn At Powell Valley Overlook of High Knob Massif – October 2014
Although a Halloween Winter Storm developed, all the snow began falling after morning observation times and will be reported for the month of November 2014.
