UPCOMING GRADING/PAVING

I am passing on this information from our president Keith Patton...heads up for road work next week:
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While the weather has thrown every curveball it could on regional paving contracts for what few companies tend to this in Haywood County, we finally have a tentative date for work in Apple Creek.

It's important to know that on the paving day, Apple Creek Road will be paved side to side, requiring that a portion of Apple Creek Road be closed for a period of time.  More details on timing/location will be forthcoming as the day nears, but for now PLEASE pencil these dates in your calendar and be aware that travel will be temporarily halted at certain times next week.

GRADING OF SIDE ROADS: tentatively set for Tuesday, November 11

PAVING/PARTIAL ROAD CLOSURE: tentatively set for Wednesday, November 12

I'm writing this on  Monday afternoon, and depending on weather and other variables, there may be some changes as the dates near.  Any changes and updates will be posted here to help you know more precisely when travel may be temporarily affected.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Bob

ANOTHER UPDATE

Honestly, we came out very well in ACA, all things considered.  The worst is the sheer volume of leaves that fell in the overnight winds and mixed in with the snow, so above the Moskos' Blue Roof house, Apple Creek Road is quite covered in wet, slushy, slippery leaves.  Roads are great down low, but there is re-freeze tonight which may well make for slippery travel tomorrow in the higher, wetter elevations.  

Reports around the region are beyond impressive.  Luck, NC got 18" of snow, on the TN border north of us in Haywood County, and 22" in Spring Valley in Madison County....8" in Maggie Valley.  I expect very little other accumulation here, though.  The wind is biting, of course, but the week-long forecast is for a warm-up of sorts for us.

Bob

SNOW UPDATE

So far, there are numerous 4-7" snow totals all around us, but I've gotten only 3" in my gauge so far (no complaints, here!), with the wind taking care of some of it. Mt. LeConte in the Smokies had 16" as of 7am (!!!).  

Just plowed my leaf-filled driveway, and the warm ground certainly help with initial melting on the roads, as all was just slushy.  Getting ready to head down the mountain on errands and expect no troubles outside the usual caution wet snow is due.  When I get back, if there were problems, I'll post them.

Bob

WINTER STORM WARNING

(click to enarge any picture)

Here we go...and the first one of this season is a pretty good 'un.  I'll jump right into my normal terms and usage, so if you find it confusing you can search back in the archives and find my posting on a "snow primer" to find out more.

Amounts: I'd been holding off a bit as the two models pretty much had ACA in the 2-3" range for days, but first  the NAM started taking off a hotter and heavier. The GFS has now followed suit.  4-5" for ACA now seems more likely the LOW side of our potential, with 6-8" not out of the question (!!!).  Heavy wet snow can accumulate very quickly. As is usually the case, amounts will be higher toward the top of ACA, lower toward the bottom.

The National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning for ACA runs from 8p TONIGHT through 8pm SATURDAY. 4-6" is expected, and for NW facing slopes on the TN border (not us, of course) up to 10".  Early and late season snow storms can come in with a more moist air source, making for pretty good totals.

Temps: Temperatures will fall below 32 before midnight, and may not get back to that mark until Sunday afternoon.  Yes, the ground will have been warm, so some initial melting will take place, but it's safe to assume our roads will be rather snow covered by the time we wake up Saturday.

Timing: The best looking time periods for accumulation (not just any, but the 'likely' category) is from 3-7am and then again from late morning through early afternoon.  I don't expect the snowfall to be steady all day, rather more snow showery as the afternoon wears on.

Wind: Winds will pick up overnight and be steady in the 20-25mph range most of Saturday, with gusts to 40mph.  With the snow expected to be on the heavy wet side, accumulations could come rapidly in spurts. I've posted storm total graphics that are from the 8p model runs Thursday evening. If there are significant changes, I'll post them at the top here later this afternoon.

Yippee.

8PM Thursday GFS (* is ACA)

8PM Thursday NAM

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Scenes like these will look a bit different with their upcoming white blanket.  I couldn't resist stopping by Chris and Helen's a few days ago to get a few different angles of a flaming maple.  Enjoy!

Bob

LOST PUP: SHADOW

Making a new post here...I had Shadow for about 24 hours before she scooted off again late Saturday morning, around Staymon Road.  The owner is Chelsea Warren, renting the first house where Staymon goes flat.  She now has signs up about her: ~5 months, black lab mix, female, super sweet disposition and very friendly. Please call Chelsea if you have any information: (541) 515-2964. I have already posted info on her with the animal shelter and at Sarge's.  Thanks for everyone's help.

Bob

WEATHER AND OTHER UPDATES

From Tuesday AM through late Tuesday PM, we are in a zone of an expected 2-3" of rain, which will probably fall in two strong periods of rainfall, daybreak and after darkfall.  Winds will pick up as well, and power outages may become a possibility in the PM hours, but our ACA track record for power restoration is a really good one should that occur.  All that to say it'll be a gloppy 24 hours here, for sure.  I hate to see so many leaves falling before good color sets in, but such is the nature of our weather.

Speaking of weather, we have been anxiously awaiting decent weather so ACA can get our paving and grading done before the regional asphalt plant closes down for the winter.  Had the weather cooperated, that could have been right now, but clearly all that has been delayed.  When there is official word on the impending work, I'll post here, and you will also see signs posted at the entrance to the same effect.

A belated thanks as always to Irene and Judy for their festive handiwork at the ACA entrance....all done on their time and nickel, so feel free to speak to them and offer to defray their costs.  Every time I pull in I feel like I am coming home...  :-)

While the weather was nice last week, I made two short forays on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Balsam north past Highway 215 to 276.  Posting a few pics for your viewing pleasure (click to enlarge).  Interesting to note the number of coves at lower elevations with bright colors when higher areas had not yet turned.  We truly live in an incredible area with much to be thankful for!

Bob

COMMUNITY WATCH ALERT

(Posting the following message from Keith Patton.  Our Community Watch is only as good as our weakest observer as we travel in and out and around Apple Creek Acres.  Convey ANY suspicious cars, people, activity to the Haywood County Sheriff's Office @ 828-452-6666 with as much detail as possible.   Bob)

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I just wanted to let everyone know that earlier this morning I saw 3 young Hispanic males parked in the driveway next door. When they saw me they jumped into a small dark colored car and took off. I called the property owner and she said they had no business there. They left too quickly for me to get a tag. Probably be a good idea to post so everyone can be aware.

Keith