23 October 2019
Autumn 2019 Peak Color
Flag Rock Recreation Area of High Knob Massif
( Large section - Allow Time To Load )
The peak is yet to arrive at elevations below 2800 feet to contrast with past peak conditions above 3800 feet, along highest ridges, where many trees are bare or becoming bare.
Gorgeous Pickem Mountain of High Knob Massif
Big Stone Gap, where jagged cliffs break the forest canopy and add rugged beauty to autumnal scenes. This outstanding color corridor extends onward to Keokee Lake in Lee County and to Cumberland
Gap National Historical Park (especially its northern slopes)
The above is speaking generally, of course, with some high valleys above 3000 feet in the High Knob Massif also past peak where air temperatures have already been in the 20s prior to this week.
Benges Branch Gorge of High Knob Massif
Following a very wet year, September 2019 was the driest month ever observed at Big Cherry Lake Dam with only 0.63" of rain.
Ditto for the City of Norton with 0.65" of rainfall, and
for the Town of Clintwood where just 0.24" of rain fell.
Monthly Total Precipitation
Big Cherry Lake Dam
(Elevation 3139 feet)
January
6.14"
February
12.50"
March
5.93"
April
6.64"
May
6.75"
June
10.68"
July
10.77"
August
4.15"
September
0.63"
October 1-27
4.04"
Summer 2019
(Jun 1-Aug 31)
25.60"
*2019 Total: 68.23" (M)
(January 1 to October 27 Period)
(M): Some missing moisture in undercatch and frozen precipitation, with partial corrections applied for the 24.4 meter (80 feet) tall dam structure where rain gauges are located.
23 October 2019
Benges Branch Basin
Upper Norton Reservoir of High Knob Massif
23 October 2019
Benges Branch Basin
Upper Norton Reservoir of High Knob Massif
23 October 2019
Benges Branch Basin
23 October 2019
View From Eagle Knob of High Knob Massif
(left) horizon beyond the Tennessee Valley.
23 October 2019
Looking Across High Knob Lake Basin
View From Eagle Knob Toward Mt. Mitchell
23 October 2019
Roan Mountain On Distant Horizon
Looking From High Knob Lookout Tower
23 October 2019
Looking Southeast Across High Knob Massif
Mount Rogers-Whitetop Mountain On Left Horizon
22 October 2019
Adam Childress Farm
Base of Pine Mountain Near Sunset
more color than was actually present late on 22 October, however, this created picturesque scenes along Route 611 in northern Dickenson County of far southwestern Virginia (beneath crystal clear skies).
22 October 2019
Adam Childress Farm
Base of Pine Mountain Near Sunset
22 October 2019
Adam Childress Farm
Base of Pine Mountain Near Sunset
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