ROUGH RIDE AHEAD

(early Friday AM updates in red)

I didn't bother to talk about Wednesday's chance for strong to severe storms earlier because with the incoming storm direction coupled with the height of the Smokies and the Plott Balsams, many storms are prone to get worn down in severity as they pass through here....or at least the storms get broken up and the severe parts are spotty in nature.

Be that as it may, it might be boisterous here tomorrow afternoon and evening, with strong straight line winds and hail the bigger concern. ACA has just been dropped back to "slight" chance for severe...but it will still be very windy, which could lead to downed trees and power outages. Tie that in with continuing strong winds for a day and a half, incoming cold, highs staying in the 40s Thursday and Friday, and a rain-snow mix that may well go to all snow above 3500' late Thursday closer to midnight through early Friday...it's an UGH situation all around the board.


Good news is the ground will be warm, so not anticipating icy roads.  Slushy, maybe, and that's plenty slippery, but afternoon highs at least go nicely above freezing to help keep roads good.  I still could see 1-2" for ACA, especially above the blue roof house.  The "sleepy" NAM has gone bonkers pushing 4-5" here, but the more 'steady' GFS is keeping us in the dusting-2" which is what makes more sense. (Amounts listed still holding at this update.)

Early April has given us big snows going back in years, so this is a minor event, truly.  I just want to get information out for those that might not have 4WD vehicles that need to move around.  Winter coats will be appreciated with the windy cold conditions soon to be here.

On a brighter note, I took some pics this afternoon of the early, mostly 'white' wildflowers now out.  Even saw the buds to the deep purple Dwarf Larkspur waiting to bloom later.  Pics below (click to enlarge):

Bloodroot

Spring Beauty

Cut-leaved Toothwort

A BIT OF SNOW, PERHAPS?

   Sometime around midnight Thursday into Friday morning, cold rain showers should switch over to snow, certainly above 3500'.  Good news is that the ground temp will be above freezing, so I am not anticipating road issues, but if it feel hard enough for a bit it may lay down an inch or two on grassy/wooded areas. And if it were to lay on Apple Creek Road, it will not be frozen and just a slushy texture.  

   Friday will be a chilly April day with highs only in the low to mid 40s on most of the mountain, but at least it will be above freezing.  From Friday through Sunday mornings, lows will flirt around if not below the freezing mark before warming up some next week (Spring Break for Haywood County Schools).

Dawn color bouncing off of Lake Junaluska

Good ol' dawn color April 2

   The above shots were from Sunday morning at the end of Staymon (click to enlarge).  If there is to be color at dawn's light, there is usually a burst of strong color for 1-3 minutes, called the morning 'glow'.  It was nice to see and drink coffee to on the deck.  And to my surprise, Bogart has not returned to my house in days. I'm okay with that...I like sleep.  ;-)

   As April goes on, you will see quick changes to the greenery on the forest floor...Bloodroot, Cut-leaved Toothwort, and Spring Beauty are well-flowering, with Trillium leaves already out around my house.  Trout Lillies, too.  It's a glorious time.

   Apple Creek Acres is considered a safe haven, safe to say.  However, as it warms, there is an increased possibility of ne'er-do-wells snooping around...which is where our Community Watch comes in.  We're only as safe as our least 'watchful' resident...if you see suspicious activity or vehicles, try to get a good description and a tag number if possible, and call the Haywood County Sheriff. There is an officer dedicated to Apple Creek, and they do a great responsive job in keeping us safe.  Keep this number handy:

828-452-6666

Bob