May 9, 2013
Spring Beauty ( Claytonia virginica )
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Despite numerous days with rain, and perhaps surprising to many, the month of May 2013 ended drier than average across much of the western side of the southern-central Appalachians.
Climate Statistics
For May 2013
( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 73.3 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 47.0 degrees
MEAN: 60.2 degrees
Highest Temperature: 86 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 31 degrees
May Rainfall: 2.71"
2013 Precipitation: 20.96"
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 70.1 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 45.4 degrees
MEAN: 57.8 degrees
Highest Temperature: 83 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 30 degrees
*May Rainfall: 3.23"
2013 Precipitation: 27.57"
*May Rainfall 4.00"+ in parts of the City
( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 67.6 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 50.7 degrees
MEAN: 59.2 degrees
Highest Temperature: 80 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 39 degrees
May Rainfall: 4.31"
2013 Precipitation: 23.59"
In the High Knob Massif average temps during May generally varied from 60-65 degrees by day
at higher elevations to 40-45 degrees at night in colder valleys ( mildest night temperatures being on exposed ridges with upper 40s to lower 50s above 2700 feet ).
For May 2013
( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 73.3 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 47.0 degrees
MEAN: 60.2 degrees
Highest Temperature: 86 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 31 degrees
May Rainfall: 2.71"
2013 Precipitation: 20.96"
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 70.1 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 45.4 degrees
MEAN: 57.8 degrees
Highest Temperature: 83 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 30 degrees
*May Rainfall: 3.23"
2013 Precipitation: 27.57"
*May Rainfall 4.00"+ in parts of the City
( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 67.6 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 50.7 degrees
MEAN: 59.2 degrees
Highest Temperature: 80 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 39 degrees
May Rainfall: 4.31"
2013 Precipitation: 23.59"
In the High Knob Massif average temps during May generally varied from 60-65 degrees by day
at higher elevations to 40-45 degrees at night in colder valleys ( mildest night temperatures being on exposed ridges with upper 40s to lower 50s above 2700 feet ).
May 6, 2013
Maple Gap Area of High Knob Massif
Large-Flowered Trillium ( Trillium grandiflorum )
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Rainfall during May varied from 3.00"-3.50"
in places along the northern base of the massif
( e.g., City of Norton Water Plant ) to 5.00"-6.00"+ in wetter portions of the high country
( e.g., Big Cherry Lake Basin ).
Monthly Precipitation Totals
Big Cherry Dam of High Knob Massif
Observer: Gary Hampton & Staff
Elevation 3120 feet
December: 7.00"
January: 11.24"
February: 2.87"
March: 7.65"
April: 6.71"
May: 5.03"
2013 Total: 33.50" ( M )
Total Since December 1: 40.50" ( M )
December-May Average per Month: 6.75"
( 0.40" above 6-year December-May Average of 6.35" per month )
Meteorological Winter Total: 21.11" ( M )
( 6-Year Meteorological Winter Average: 20.05" )
Meteorological Spring Total: 19.39" ( M )
( 6-Year Meteorological Spring Average: 18.03" )
Meteorological Winter Total: 21.11" ( M )
( 6-Year Meteorological Winter Average: 20.05" )
Meteorological Spring Total: 19.39" ( M )
( 6-Year Meteorological Spring Average: 18.03" )
( M ) - An estimated 1.25" to 1.50" of missing moisture in falls of snow too deep for the rain gauge to contain during the period
( most of this loss occurred in January-March ).
Evaporation losses between hand-measurements started during April-May with 8 total measurements during the 2 month period.
May 6, 2013
HDR Photograph - Maple Gap of High Knob Massif
An Aging Colony of Large-Flowered Trilliums
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Rod Addington Photography
While the 40.50" of total precipitation measured by Gary Hampton & staff in the 4"-diameter NWS rain gauge at Big Cherry Dam during the 6-month period from December 2012 through May 2013 was just a little above the current 6-year average December-May total of 38.08", it must be remembered that rain gauge losses were a factor throughout this entire 6-year recording period
( especially in snows too deep for the gauge to physically contain ).
One of the reasons I started this website was to highlight this significant precipitation regime which had never before been recognized in such a way amid Virginia. In the climatology I'm writing a central theme is the importance of initial lifting of air masses associated with orographic forcing that tends to rule the period from November-April, or in some years October-May, such that precipitation enhancement tends to be greatest in areas of initial air mass lifting ( which makes air flows with SSW-WSW components critical since they are the climatological, or
long-term, mean flow trajectories into Virginia ).
This initial lifting with respect to Virginia and the mountain terrain of the Cumberland Mountains, along the Virginia-Kentucky border counties, of the Cumberland Overthrust Block.
[ May 2013 was one of the exceptions to climatology which occasionally arise via prolonged E-SE air flow trajectories, with the wettest conditions developing across the southern Blue Ridge in Virginia with initial lifting along respective windward slopes, followed by a positive feedback for continued wetness ].
The setting with NW air flows in winter has long been recognized across central-northern Virginia where even highest elevations of the Blue Ridge receive much less snowfall, in the long-term mean, than low-middle elevations along the windward side of the eastern West Virginia highlands.
An analogous winter pattern in the Cumberland Mountains taught me the concept and importance of initial air mass lifting decades ago when I would frequently measure as much or more snow at 1560 feet elevation in Clntwood as was being reported at the top of Shenandoah National Park in Big Meadows of northern Virginia.
This website has recently illustrated the huge snowfall gradient existing from NW to SE across the High Knob Massif, with many FEET of difference in amounts between windward slopes and crests verses sites resting downstream ( leeward ) of the massif
in places like the Tri-Cities of the Great Valley.
[ The significant winter snowfall regime of the High Knob Massif complicating the measurement of water equivalent precipitation amounts via significant rain gauge losses at times ].
May 17, 2013
One Of Numerous Color Forms
Flame Azalea ( Rhododendron calendulaceum )
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Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"These flowers now dot the woods with
a wide range of colors."
Since this significant precip regime is critical to ecology, geomorphology, karstification, and total biodiversity the understanding of this and many other important concepts would be facilitated by the recognition of the High Knob Landform, or geological Powell Valley Anticline, as a consolidated mountain landform. It is rather absurd, and ironic, that Cliff Mountain, Little Mountain, Little Stone Mountain, Powell Mountain, Stone Mountain etc., are not collectively recognized in scientific works as being part of the High Knob Massif ( remnant high country mass of the High Knob Landform - Powell Valley Anticline ).
For example, Brumley Mountain, Russell Beartown, Tazewell Beartown, Garden Mountain, Flattop Mountain are all recognized as being part of Clinch Mountain, and often noted as such, yet both their connection to each other and geology ( alternating anticline-syncline segments ) are not as consolidated as are mountains of the High Knob Massif ( which are together as a single anticline & overthrust block - the Cumberland Overthrust Block ).
[ The bottom line, I think they all should be recognized as part of Clinch Mountain just as I think all connected together should be recognized as part of the High Knob Massif and its landform ].
Air flows and weather systems recognize no political boundaries or mountain names, but will react to the orographic forcing that is ( and comes only from ) the consolidated mass surrounding High Knob regardless of whether it is ever recognized by humans as being so.
May 17, 2013
Pink Lady's Slipper ( Cypripedium acaule )
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Although snowfall was not measured at Big Cherry Dam during this 6 year period, it was observed in the area between basin heads of Big Cherry Lake, High Knob Lake, and the Norton Reservoirs.
Monthly Average Snowfall
Near Head of Big Cherry Lake Basin
For December-May of 2008-2013
December: 32.0"
January: 27.5"
February: 28.2"
March: 17.1"
April: 3.4"
May: Trace
*Average Total: 108.2"
*The average total for December-May during the past 6 years
( The Seasonal Average for 2008-2013 was 121.7" )
In order to be most accurate, instead of the raw rain gauge total of 40.50" during December 2012-May 2013, the actual 6-month total at Big Cherry Dam should be noted as being closer to 42.00" .
Rain gauge losses due to wind and secondary moisture sources such as fog drop from trees and rime deposition on trees are not included in any rain gauge totals or estimates ( i.e., the total moisture budget for the High Knob Massif is more significant
than shown by rainfall and snowfall amounts ).
As my climatology shows, the featured Big Cherry Lake Basin would not be the wettest area ever documented in Virginia
( outside the High Knob Massif ) if there was only Powell Mountain or only Stone Mountain. It is the large, consolidated mass of many mountains together which are the High Knob Massif that generate enhanced lifting of air from multiple directions to form its significant precipitation regime ( including rime & fog ).
Qingfang Jiang & Ronald B. Smith
Cloud Timescales and Orographic Precipitation
Although possessing obvious gaps between the mathematics, modeling, and real world atmosphere
+ surface terrain the above paper highlights various concepts associated with mountain height & width applicable to cold season air flow that can be applied to the High Knob Massif ( with its great width ) and other mountain settings during the orographic forcing season.
May 17, 2013
Yellow Lady's Slipper
( Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens )
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Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"The warm days and rain have brought wildflowers to the woods. The lady slipper is one of this area's native orchids."
Climate Statistics
For Spring 2013
( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 62.3 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 36.3 degrees
March-May MEAN: 49.3 degrees
Total Precipitation: 12.07"
Total Snowfall: 13.1"
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 58.5 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 34.8 degrees
March-May MEAN: 46.6 degrees
Total Precipitation: 15.13"
Total Snowfall: 20.8"
( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 56.8 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 39.3 degrees
March-May MEAN: 48.0 degrees
Total Precipitation: 13.85"
Total Snowfall: 15.1"
In the High Knob Massif spring temperatures averaged from 50-55 degrees by day in upper elevations to 30-35 degrees at night in colder valleys ( mid-upper 30s on exposed ridges ).
April 23, 2013
Karst Landscape of Powell River Basin
Horse Hollow of Wallen Creek Watershed
Spring precipitation was typically abundant with a general 18.00" to 21.00" across upper elevations from the Robinson Knob and High Chaparral communities southwest across the main crest zone.
April 22, 2013
Flowering Dogwood ( Cornus florida )
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Spring snowfall was mostly concentrated during the month of March, with the extensive rime forest formation being especially interesting and majestic.
March 2013 - High Knob Massif RIME Forest
March 3, 2013
Bow Bending Rime From High Knob Meadow
Spring 2013 was cooler than average thanks
largely to a cold, wintry March.
Meteorological Spring 2013
Appalachian Images
April 20, 2013
West Cabin In Wilderness Road State Park
May 11, 2013
Along Majestic Cumberland Mountain
Log Hewing In Wilderness Road State Park
May 21, 2013
Southern Flying Squirrel ( Glaucomys volans )
"Rocky" The Flying Squirrel Wanting A Treat
Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.
Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"The birdhouse was built for bluebirds; however, this one was taken over to provide a home for a family of flying squirrels. This baby is named "Rocky" and is looking for his hand fed treat of walnut bits."
April 26, 2013
Fox Squirrel ( Sciurus niger )
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April 27, 2013
Eastern Chipmunk ( Tamias striatus )
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April 14, 2013
Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Pheucticus ludovicianus )
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April 11, 2013
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly ( Papilio glaucus )
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June 2013 Begins WET
May 23, 2013
Gorgeous Rainbow Above The Cumberlands
Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"The evening storm passed to leave us with a rainbow displayed with the white locust blooms."
Faint Second Rainbow Appears
A dry spell following these gorgeous late
May rainbows gave way to drenching rain and thunderstorms during the first weekend of June, with widespread 2.00" to 4.00" rainfall totals being recorded across the High Knob Landform, from High Knob to Cumberland Gap, and along the adjoining Clinch River Valley.
June 1-3 ( AM )
Doppler Radar Storm Total Rainfall Estimate
While Doppler radar actually under-estimated rain amounts it illustrates the corridor that received the heaviest rains which tapered dramatically to the north of the High Knob Landform
and Clinch River Basin.
Booming thunderstorms associated with the next system produced local downpours during the late afternoon and evening hours of June 5 to mark the start of another wet period.
June 5-8 ( AM )
Doppler Radar Storm Total Rainfall Estimate
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Rainfall totals from late June 5 into predawn
of June 8 reached 1.50" to 2.00" in Clintwood, Clinchco, Norton, Wise, Duffield, Dungannon and Fort Blackmore to note a few places.
A few specific totals included:
Wise 1 SE RAWS: 1.59"
Little Stone Mountain Gap: 1.69"
Clintwood: 1.76"
( 2.46" during June 1-8 )
Nora 4 SSE: 1.83"
( on Long Ridge )
City of Norton Water Plant: 1.87"
City of Norton Water Plant: 1.87"
Fort Blackmore: 1.92"
( 5.79" during June 1-8 )
Duffield: 1.96"
( 3.98" during June 1-8 )
Little Mountain of High Knob Massif: 2.08"
( On rim of Big Cherry Lake Basin )
As so typical of convective rains, some places received much less.
Looking Toward Pine Mountain
Turbulent Skies Above The Cumberlands
Rainfall totals for the June 1-8 ( AM ) period varied from 2.46" in Clintwood to around 6.00" in the Fort Blackmore area of Scott County ( Doppler under estimated totals some based on gauges ).
Rainfall Estimate Ending At 8:00 AM
Estimated Rainfall Totals For June 1-8, 2013
Rainfall during June 1-8 was much less
to the northwest of the mountains.
Rainfall Estimate Ending At 8:00 AM
Estimated Rainfall Totals For June 1-8, 2013
The current pattern, to say the least, is troubling given another surge of tropical moisture ahead of the next cold front during June 9-10, with a break followed by a heat surge which likely gets cut off
by MCS formation that makes a move on the Mountain Empire by the middle of next week
( adding a severe component to heavy rain potential ).
The bottom line...continued heavy rain potential on top of an already WET June.
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