WHERE THERE'S SMOKE....

(click on pics to enlarge)

Smoky view from end of Staymon 1-6-19-16

Thanks to a large wildfire in Jackson County, current light winds have been blowing the expansive smoke into Haywood County.  You can see it and smell it...and for those not on the mountain, we are officially in a Severe Drought, with Extreme Drought south and west of us.  High pressure ridges have been dominating the Southeast for over two months, and there is no relief in sight anytime soon. The jetstream needs to start moving to shift the ridges away from here, and there is no sign of significant movement yet.  

Besides needing rain badly, our utility bills have been pleasantly low thanks to the warm temperatures overall.  While not the upper 70s, we'll still be above the average high of around 63 degrees this coming week.  At the end of Staymon, I've still had only 35 degrees as the coldest morning since last season, and no frost yet. Inversions have been alive and well as the valleys have been the colder and frostier locations.

Dawn from the end of Staymon 10-30-16

To end on a nicer note, above is some pretty dawn color from last Sunday.  Thankfully, Daylight Saving Time has kicked in so I can see more dawns like this before heading to work.  


Bob