January 23, 2011
High Knob Massif
Wind Swept Snow & Drifts Along Crestline
Photographer Roddy Addington found a wind swept crestline and deep snow drifts as he returned to the crest zone of the High Knob Massif on January 23 to check out conditions.
Lines of deep snow drifts typically form along Forest Service 238 ( on right side of view ) and along either side of the High Knob Lookout Drive leading up to High Knob Meadow ( note deep snow around trees in upper left of scene ).
January 23, 2011
Jefferson National Forest
Snowy Northern Slopes of High Knob Lake Basin
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
The most persistently deep snowpack was found amid lovely northern slopes of endemic Southern Appalachian Northern Hardwoods and High-Elevation Cove Forests, such as those spreading outward around lofty High Knob Lake Basin ( resting at the head of Mountain Fork of Big Stony Creek of the world renowned Clinch River ).
I have measured snow many times amid the woods seen in the far distance. At the very bottom of this aging snowpack lies old snow lingering from one of the many December 2010 winter storms which buried the massif in 4.5 to 6 feet of total snowfall.
January 23, 2011
High Knob Massif
Wind Sculpturing Of Snow
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Sculptured by wind, and graced by nice light, snow around an old tree stump gives it a different character in winter as weed stems poke up through deep snow piled above.
January 23, 2011
Hanging Rock Recreation Area
Little Stony Creek Near The Clinch River
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Despite much less snow in lower elevations of the Clinch River Valley, the effects of this recent stretch of bitter weather can be seen upon the icy waters of boulder filled Little Stony Creek.
Winter Storm Finally Takes It Easy
On The High Knob Landform
While the January 26 winter storm deepened the snowpack in the High Knob highcountry, it had potential to be a crippling event with high density snowfall. With many prayers and some luck, such was not the case this time!
Afternoon of January 26, 2011
High Chaparral of High Knob Massif
Photograph by Darlene Fields - © All Rights Reserved.
The High Knob Landform finally caught a needed break from a potentially crippling winter storm, with a 2 to 3 hour delay in transition from rain to wet snow being the saving grace into morning hours of January 26.
Elevation 3300 feet
Old + New Snow on January 26, 2011
Old + New Snow on January 26, 2011
High Chaparral of High Knob Massif
Photograph by Darlene Fields - © All Rights Reserved.
My friend Darlene Fields measured 2.5" of new snowfall in High Chaparral during the afternoon of January 26, which added to the several inches of older snow depth remaining at their southern exposed location.
This event pushing the 2010-11 winter snowfall tally to 86.1" at 3300 feet. Well over 100" have now fallen upon the main crest zone of the massif, where main peaks reach up to 923 vertical feet higher than High Chaparral.
Elevation 4189 feet
Afternoon of January 26, 2011
Afternoon of January 26, 2011
DEEP Snow - Eagle Knob of High Knob Massif
Image by Steve Blankenbecler - © All Rights Reserved.
Significantly more snow fell at the summit level of the High Knob Massif, with an increase in snow depths on Eagle Knob showing around 5.0" of new snowfall during morning hours of January 26
( local amounts up to 6" were reported ).
( local amounts up to 6" were reported ).
Snow depths of 10" to 12"+ on Eagle Knob increase to even deeper snow depths across the northern slopes, such as those highlighted by Rod's photographs opening this section.
January 26, 2011
Wise Lake - Along The Tennessee Valley Divide
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Wise Lake is located just north of the High Knob Massif, along the Tennessee Valley Divide, at an elevation of a little over 2500 feet above sea level to the ESE of downtown Wise.
Snow depth differences are often obvious with elevation changes, such as observed between the Eagle Knob summit and Wise Lake in the above photographs, but some of the greatest variations during long, harsh winters can actually develop in the massif itself between northern and southern exposed slopes ( i.e., deep snowpacks on northern slopes ).
Beautiful Wise Lake - January 26, 2011
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Even at moderate to high elevations snow depth may frequently melt away from well exposed southern slopes and ridges while northern slopes retain snow for weeks to months at a time.
Wise Lake - January 23, 2011
Looking To The Southern Shoreline
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Lofty basins within the High Knob Massif are infamous for retaining snow as cold northern slopes develop snowpacks which are composed of ice crystals from many different storm events
( this includes multiple riming episodes ).
( this includes multiple riming episodes ).
The above being true of moderate to severe winters,
with only mild seasons having a relative lack of snow cover upon upper north slopes amid lofty basins such as those surrounding High Knob Lake, Big Cherry Lake, and the Norton Reservoirs.
Update: January 31, 2011
Northern Slope Snowpack
Deep Snow Across Upper Elevations
January 31, 2011
Heads of High Knob Lake & Big Cherry Lake Basins
Snowpack Across North Slopes of High Knob Massif
Image by Steve Blankenbecler - © All Rights Reserved.
Observe that the snowpack above was still widespread across
both northern and southern exposed slopes amid these upper elevations of the High Knob Massif. Even from this far away
large drift lines can be seen, as well as the snowy banks, along
State Route 619 ( High Knob Mountain Road ).
Observe that the snowpack above was still widespread across
both northern and southern exposed slopes amid these upper elevations of the High Knob Massif. Even from this far away
large drift lines can be seen, as well as the snowy banks, along
State Route 619 ( High Knob Mountain Road ).
My friend Steve Blankenbecler submits this snowy image of deep snow still covering heads of the High Knob Lake and Big Cherry Lake basins during the final day of January 2011 ( this as snow has melted away from most lower-middle elevation sites across the region ).
The January 26 snowfall dropped a general
2" to 3" upon the middle elevation zone around Norton-Wise and Sandy Ridge, with my cousin Nina Page reporting that it was just a furious transition from rain to big, wet snowflakes up to
2" or more in diameter!
2" to 3" upon the middle elevation zone around Norton-Wise and Sandy Ridge, with my cousin Nina Page reporting that it was just a furious transition from rain to big, wet snowflakes up to
2" or more in diameter!
Thankfully, for the sake of keeping our electricity, this furious fall was shortened by a slower morning transition than expected ( as noted above ). The quickest change occurring at highest elevations where a snow of somewhat lower density deposited 3" to 6" of accumulation ( generally above 3300 feet ).
My friend Wayne Riner offers a couple of photographs showing how conditions changed during the following day of January 27.
January 27, 2011 ( AM )
B.B. The Cow - Long Ridge of Sandy Ridge
Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.
Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"I walked in the new snow to the edge of where the summer garden of last year is located. Down below, "B.B." the cow walks toward the pond for a drink. She is curious to see what I am doing. Wet snow had covered the trees during the night."
January 27, 2011 ( PM )
Tennessee Valley Divide
The Bend In The Road - Long Ridge of Sandy Ridge
Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.
Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"It started as a rain, but the cold front came through with snow wrapping around the backside. The light snow covered the trees to make a white forest. The evening sun and blue skies made me stop and look. There were no sounds."
This next photographic beauty by Wayne nicely illustrates the vertical snow gradient that this storm possessed, with clearly more snow capping the highlands of the plateau terrain of southern Dickenson than the hollows!
January 27, 2011
In the highlands along the Tennessee Valley Divide
Looking Northeast Toward Wakenva Hollow
Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.
Winter Beauty of ICY Waters
Feeding The Clinch River
( Supporting Life On Earth )
Feeding The Clinch River
( Supporting Life On Earth )
Little Stony Creek of High Knob Massif
Icy Majesty Forms Amid Flowing Water & Rocks
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Through the camera lens of my friend and photographer Roddy Addington it is easy to see why winter is a season of contrasting emotions, as harsh conditions can bring both suffering and absolute beauty unique to this time of year!
Little Stony Creek of Clinch River
Battle Rages Between Liquid & Solid
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Much like the battle between water & rock that carved great multi-gorge basins into the sprawling High Knob Massif, a battle rages in winter between gravity driven fluidity and conditions which require only static moments in time to transform this life sustaining liquid into a solid!
High Knob Massif
A Majesty That Is Ever Changing With Time
A Majesty That Is Ever Changing With Time
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
As whitewater tumbles from the High Knob highcountry to feed the mighty Clinch River, and its sister Powell River, an ever changing array of icy forms emerge and dissipate to create a majesty ever changing with time which is unique to this season called winter.
Resting Upon The Cusp
Contrasts In Light and Motion
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Resting upon the cusp between motion and stationary moments in time, clumps of ragged ice form in just the right position to illustrate this wintry battle whose beauty is revealed by an amazing contrast in light.
Miracles Do Happen - More Than Meets The Eye
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
An often hidden but vital part to such miraculous images rests upon water's special ability to exist in three different phases at the same time, with vapor being extraordinary on its own as a transitional player in these amazing transformations.
Precious Water ( Fluid- Vapor - Solid )
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Precious water in all three of its ever changing phases is vital to all living things upon, above, and beneath the surface of this planet, making water capturing, holding, and supplying wonders like the High Knob Massif and its adjoining Landform absolutely critical to life on Earth!
Remnant High Country Mass of The High Knob Landform
High Knob Massif - Water Capturing Wonder In The Sky
High Knob Massif - Water Capturing Wonder In The Sky
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
The ability of this landform to capture, store, and give forth this most precious of entities is a major reason for its designation as an epi-center for the rarity & richness of limited range species within the continental United States ( and North America ).
Fig 6.9 On Page 173 In:
Precious Heritage: The Status of Biodiversity in the United States
Precious Heritage: The Status of Biodiversity in the United States
Speaking of which, snow associated with this latest fast moving clipper system was enhanced along windward facing slopes and crests of the High Knob Massif into morning hours of January 28 with a general 2" to 3" of new snow depth measured from the City of Norton to Eagle Knob and High Chaparral.
This left behind snow depths of 1 to 2 feet ( old snow + new ) across highest crestlines and upper north slopes of the massif.
It will be interesting to see how this diminishes amid a late January THAW which ends the month during January 29-31.
By contrast, snowfall was much lighter amid the lowlands of the Powell River Valley with my friend Harold Jerrell reporting around 0.5" at his home in Lee County.
Snow was also light amid deep hollows of the adjoining Russell Fork Basin, where Wayne Riner captured it decorating Beaver ( Castor canadensis ) lodges during the morning.
Russell Fork Basin
January 28, 2011 ( AM )
Beavers Sleep Under New Snow
Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.
Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"Let's stop long enough to look at the work of the industrious beaver. Their ponds provide a home for fish and waterfowl. Once trapped out of the area, they have returned in great numbers throughout southwestern Virginia."
January 2011
More Than Just Snow & Ice
( In The Cumberland Overthrust Block )
( In The Cumberland Overthrust Block )
January 20, 2011
Long Ridge of Sandy Ridge
Blue Winter Morning Upon The Divide
Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.
Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"The January morning started out with a color show. My thoughts went to the black locust tree outlined against the horizon. During the spring it had provided long grape like clusters of white flowers full of nectar for the bees. In the summer months the bluebirds sat on the branches and looked to the ground for insects to feed their young."
The High Knob Massif & Wave Clouds
Last Light From Long Ridge - January 22, 2011
Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.
Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"Last light on a late January day shows a touch of color. On the horizon just to the left of center is the High Knob ( Eagle Knob peak ) with its towers."
January 25, 2011
Along the Tennessee Valley Divide
Beautiful Light As Seen From Coeburn Mountain
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Looking from above the town of Coeburn, the large swell of the Clinch Mountain crestline is seen in the distance stretching across the horizon.
Observe the beautiful array of orographic wave clouds above,
as a deep SW air flow was pointed from the High Knob Landform toward the lofty peak of Beartown Mountain ( Russell Beartown ) in the distance.
as a deep SW air flow was pointed from the High Knob Landform toward the lofty peak of Beartown Mountain ( Russell Beartown ) in the distance.
Sunrise Series Above Pineville, Kentucky
( January 30, 2011 )
In The Cumberland Overthrust Block
Looking from Pine Mountain to NW Flank of HKL
and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Sunrise Photograph 1
and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Sunrise Photograph 1
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Sunrise Photograph 2
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Sunrise Photograph 3
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Sunrise Photograph 4
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Unique Perspective of the
Iron Furnace In The Old Cumberland Gap
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Sunrise Photograph 2
Sunrise Photograph 3
Sunrise Photograph 4
Unique Perspective of the
Iron Furnace In The Old Cumberland Gap
Thanks to Roddy & Wayne
for such perspectives!
Climate Statistics
For January 2011
For January 2011
( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 38.1 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 18.5 degrees
MEAN: 28.3 degrees
Highest Temperature: 61 degrees
Lowest Temperature: -2 degrees
Total Precipitation: 2.32"
Total Snowfall: 21.4"
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 35.0 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 15.9 degrees
MEAN: 25.4 degrees
Highest Temperature: 57 degrees
Lowest Temperature: -4 degrees
Total Precipitation: 2.99"
Total Snowfall: 23" to 30"
( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 34.3 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 20.1 degrees
MEAN: 27.2 degrees
Highest Temperature: 58 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 1 degree
Total Precipitation: 2.13"
Total Snowfall: 19.8"
In the High Knob high country, January 2011 temp means varied from upper 20s to lower 30s by day to bitter 10s at night within upper elevations
( this generated monthly MEANS of 20 to 25 degrees above 2700 feet, over a persistent snowpack that enhanced cooling ).
January precipitation totals varied from 3.50" to 4.00"+ across the High Knob high country, with my friends Otis & Nancy Ward measuring 3.41" in Robinson Knob ( with loss in deeper snowfalls on their 4"-diameter NWS rain gage measured 5 times during the month ).
For the second consecutive month, amid this cold winter,
most of the precipitation fell in the form of snow.
most of the precipitation fell in the form of snow.
January 30, 2011
In The Cumberland Overthrust Block
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Gary Hampton, Superintendent of Big Stone Gap Water Plant in South Fork Gorge, measured 3.69" at Big Cherry Dam during the January 4-31 period. That boosted the NWS gauge total to 4.51" for the month ( when adding approximately 0.82" of rain that fell at the Dam during January 1-2 ).
The 4.51" January total for Big Cherry Dam being less than what actually fell since there were significant rain gage losses in deep falls of snow during January 7-8 and January 12-13.
The significance of orographic enhancement of winter precipitation in the High Knob high country can be seen by looking at January totals from the Clinch River Valley and adjacent portions of the area ( despite losses at Big Cherry Dam & Robinson Knob ).
January 2011 Precipitation Totals
*( western-central Virginia & northeast Tennessee )
Kerrs Creek 6 WNW: 0.43"
Covington Filter Plant: 0.64"
Galax WTP: 0.65"
Gathright Dam: 0.68"
Lexington: 0.69"
Roanoke: 0.82"
Millgap 2 NNW: 0.83"
Covington Filter Plant: 0.64"
Galax WTP: 0.65"
Gathright Dam: 0.68"
Lexington: 0.69"
Roanoke: 0.82"
Millgap 2 NNW: 0.83"
Blacksburg: 0.84"
Meadows of Dan 5 SW: 0.92"
Woolwine: 1.00"
Holcomb Rock: 1.01"
Luray 5 E: 1.16"
Meadows of Dan 5 SW: 0.92"
Woolwine: 1.00"
Holcomb Rock: 1.01"
Luray 5 E: 1.16"
Lebanon: 1.20"
Copper Hill: 1.21"
Martinsville Filter Plant: 1.22"
Copper Hill: 1.21"
Martinsville Filter Plant: 1.22"
Wytheville 1 S: 1.33"
Trout Dale 3 SSE: 1.38"
Trout Dale 3 SSE: 1.38"
Richlands: 1.47"
Grundy: 1.56"
Kingsport: 1.69"
Bland: 1.73"
Abingdon 3 S: 1.80"
Burkes Garden: 1.82"
Tri-Cities Airport: 1.88"
Bluefield: 1.97"
Saltville 1 N: 2.08"
Marion 4.4 WSW: 2.16"
Saltville 1 N: 2.08"
Marion 4.4 WSW: 2.16"
January 2011 precipitation totals were well below average across the entire region, including within the High Knob Massif, despite near to above average snowfall.
*It is important to note that most all of the above locations lacked deep falls of snow, and measure precipitation daily, such that rain gage losses should have been at a minimum compared to that occurring at Big Cherry Dam ( with its 4"-diameter NWS gage which was measured twice on January 3 and January 31 ).
The true differences are greater than
suggested by the raw numbers.
suggested by the raw numbers.
Updated
State Of The 2010-11 Winter
( As of February 3, 2011 )
High Knob Massif - February 15, 2010
Snow Depth Before A Foot Of New Snow
Snow Depth Before A Foot Of New Snow
During the Snowy 2009-10 Winter Season
Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.
Roddy took this photograph just before a new FOOT of snow fell upon the High Knob Massif at the middle of February last winter.
So just where does this winter stand?
Although this winter has eased currently, with solid snow cover restricted only to highest elevations in the High Knob Massif, total snowfall up to this point is running some 12% to 18% ahead of this day ( Feb 3 ) in the snowy 2009-10 winter.
Reference this section of my website
to get a feeling for the 2009-10 winter season:
to get a feeling for the 2009-10 winter season:
Snowfall Totals By Month
2010-11 Winter Season
High Chaparral of High Knob Massif
( Elevation 3300 feet )
2010
November: 4.5"
December: 55.0"
2011
January: 29.2"
2010-11 Season Total: 88.7"
14-Month Snowfall Total: 212.0"
( December 2009-January 2011 )
Snowfall measurements by the Fields Family started in High Chaparral during the 1992-93 winter season, just in time to measure 46" amid the March 1993 Blizzard.
My friends Joe & Darlene Fields had just measured 72.5" of snowfall by this point in last winter, or 18% less than current ( as of February 3 ).
This continues a snowy period with 212.0"
being hand-measured since the beginning of December 2009, during only 7 months with measurable snowfall in that 14 month interval
( an average of 30.3" per month that had snow ).
That has to be among the most snow ever measured in any community in the state of Virginia, but is certainly not the most snow to fall upon the Old Dominion ( as noted below ).
Eagle Knob of High Knob Massif
( Elevation 4189 feet )
2010
November: 6.0"
December: 67.0"
2011
January: 39.0"
2010-11 Season Total: 112.0"
*14-Month Snowfall Total: 276.0"
( December 2009-January 2011 )
*Indicates approximate snowfall totals for the Eagle Knob summit based upon daily snow marker depths and frequent reports ( due to strong winds true amounts are likely greater, with the above being best and mostly conservative estimates of what falls there ).
The general 250-300" of snowfall in the main crest zone of the High Knob Massif since Dec 2009 has produced an average of approximately 39.0" of snowfall per month for each month having snow on Eagle Knob during this 14-month period.
Research indicates that the main crest zone of the massif gets more snowfall than High Chaparral not only due to higher mean elevations, but also due to better lift and air flow funneling by numerous deep gorges and steep mountain flanks that are part of a notable SW-NE trend of higher relief associated with a duplex-imbricate geological structure.
The High Chaparral and Robinson Knob communities sit literally on the very edge of the main crest zone of the massif at the interface between the duplex-imbricate system and single tectonic ramping zone of the massif.
For specific details reference
this portion of my website:
this portion of my website:
It is interesting to note that the current season is running around 6% behind the pace of the 1995-96 winter, the snowiest since record keeping began within the massif in the late 1980s.
A COLD 2010-11 Winter
December-January Temp Means
Temperatures so far this winter have been colder than average with increasingly BRRR...conditions generally being observed as elevation increases ( as noted below by temperature statistics for specific points ).
Notable and always important exceptions being felt amid higher valleys by night where cold air drainage is a factor, and above the persistent snowpack of mid-upper elevations within the High Knob Massif.
While mostly snow covered throughout December & January, the upper north slopes in particular had 1" or more of depth during both months ( with a foot or more of snowpack during much of this 62-day period on upper north, northeast, and northwest facing slopes of the massif ).
Note average nightly MINS in the Norton Valley are often impacted by cold air flowing downward out of the High Knob highcountry, such that nights are colder than in both Clintwood and at the higher elevation of Long Ridge ( a thermal belt site ).
Daily maximums in the City of Norton, by contrast, follow the general trend of decreases with increasing elevation and fit neatly in between those observed in Clintwood and Long Ridge.
December 2010 + January 2011
Temperature Means For Specific Points
( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 35.4 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 18.8 degrees
MEAN: 27.1 degrees
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 33.0 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 15.5 degrees
MEAN: 24.2 degrees
( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 31.8 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 18.7 degrees
MEAN: 25.2 degrees
In the High Knob high country temp means during December-January have generally varied from 20s to lower 30s by day to the low-mid 10s
at night.
Variations have no doubt included milder conditions on steep slopes with southern exposures and colder mean temps on slopes having northern tilts, with a particular tendency for coldness amid the numerous, lofty cold air drainage basins in the massif which have been buried by deep snow.
It truly is a different world up there!
Reference this section of my website for an
example of these differences during spring transition:
Reference this section of my website for an
examples of these differences during autumn transitions:
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