A Very Wet Start To Summer 2013

Early Evening of June 24, 2013

In Wake Of A Gully Washing Thunderstorm

Looking Down Powell Valley of High Knob Massif

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

The High Knob Landform

A long strip of fog majestically formed down 
the middle of Powell Valley in Wise County, Va., following another torrential downpour during 
late afternoon hours of June 24.

June 24, 2013

Looking SW from Powell Valley Overlook

Layered Fog Against The Powell Mountain Block

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

Climate Statistics

For June 2013

( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )

Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet

Average Daily MAX: 78.5 degrees

Average Daily MIN: 57.7 degrees

MEAN: 68.1 degrees

Highest Temperature: 87 degrees

Lowest Temperature: 50 degrees

June Rainfall: 7.66"

( 7.96" at Midnight June 30 )

2013 Precipitation: 28.92"

( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )

City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet

Average Daily MAX: 77.0 degrees

Average Daily MIN: 55.5 degrees

MEAN: 66.2 degrees

Highest Temperature: 85 degrees

Lowest Temperature: 48 degrees

June Rainfall: 8.57"

( 9.44" at Midnight June 30 )

2013 Precipitation: 37.01"

( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )

Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet

Average Daily MAX: 75.0 degrees

Average Daily MIN: 60.6 degrees

MEAN: 67.8 degrees

Highest Temperature: 83 degrees

Lowest Temperature: 54 degrees

June Rainfall: 6.83"

( 8.19" at Midnight June 30 )

2013 Precipitation: 31.78"

June was seasonally cool and very wet across the High Knob Massif with average temps varying from upper 60s to middle 70s by day and low-mid 50s by night above 2700 feet ( generally only one day broke 80 degrees above 3000 feet elevation ).

High Knob Massif
Towering Cumulonimbus Illuminated Near Sunset
Northwestern Flank of Big Cherry Lake Basin

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

Rod Addington Photography

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"

June: 10.71"

( 11.01" at Midnight June 30 )

2013 Total: 44.51" ( M )

( January 1-June 30 at Midnight )

Total Since December 1: 51.51" ( M )

( 6-year December-June Average of 44.18" )

12-Month Total: 76.75" ( M2 )

( July 1, 2012 thru June 30, 2013 )

( 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 in April with approximately 0.54" of loss estimated amid the high sun angles of June ( 4 measurements during the month ).

( M2 ) - Total estimated loss of around 3.75" with significant rain gauge losses in deep falls of snow during October 2012, January-March 2013, and evaporation between hand-measurements.

June 24, 2013
HDR Photograph from Powell Valley Overlook
Looking Southwest Along The High Knob Landform

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

June 2013 Rainfall Days
Big Stone Gap Water Plant
Observer: Gary Hampton & Staff
( South Fork Gorge of High Knob Massif )
Elevation 1965 feet

06-02-2013  0.51"
06-03-2013  0.95"
06-04-2013  0.14"

06-06-2013  0.76"
06-07-2013  0.89"
06-08-2013  0.21"

06-10-2013  1.49"
06-11-2013  0.66"

06-14-2013  0.61"

06-17-2013  0.08"
06-18-2013  0.82"
06-19-2013  0.71"
06-20-2013  0.02"

06-23-2013  0.26"

06-25-2013  0.03"
06-26-2013  0.72"
06-27-2013  0.63"
06-28-2013  0.20"
06-29-2013  0.23"

June Total: 9.92"
( Through AM of June 30 )

2013 Total: 39.87"

12-Month Total: 75.71"
( July 1, 2012 to AM June 30, 2013 )

June 30, 2013
High Knob Massif
Black Bear ( Ursus americanus )

Photograph by Grant Stanley - © All Rights Reserved.

Grant Stanley Photography

June 2013 Rainfall Days
City of Norton Water Plant
Observer: Andrew Greear & Staff
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
Elevation 2342 feet

06-02-2013  0.23"
06-03-2013  0.57"
06-04-2013  0.12"

06-06-2013  0.78"
06-07-2013  1.01"
06-08-2013  0.08"

06-10-2013  1.43"
06-11-2013  0.50"

06-14-2013  0.38"

06-17-2013  0.24"
06-18-2013  0.94"
06-19-2013  0.64"

06-22-2013  0.46"

06-25-2013  0.09"
06-26-2013  0.06"
06-27-2013  0.96"
06-28-2013  0.02"
06-29-2013  0.06"

06-30-2013  0.87"
( Late PM-Evening Storm )

June Total: 9.44"
( As of Midnight June 30 )

2013 Total: 37.01"

12-Month Total: 74.03"
( July 1, 2012 thru June 30, 2013 )

June 30, 2013
City of Norton Park
Sunset From Flag Rock Recreation Area

Photograph by Grant Stanley - © All Rights Reserved.

June 2013 Rainfall Days
Appalachia Lake Water Plant
Observer: Jack Pitts & Mark Quillin
( Little Stone Mountain of High Knob Massif )
Elevation 2330 feet

06-02-2013  0.24"
06-03-2013  0.63"
06-04-2013  0.12"

06-06-2013  0.56"
06-07-2013  0.15"
06-08-2013  0.07"

06-10-2013  1.05"
06-11-2013  0.55"

06-14-2013  0.64"

06-17-2013  0.26"
06-18-2013  0.74"
06-19-2013  0.53"

06-22-2013  0.72"

06-25-2013  0.12"
06-26-2013  0.48"
06-27-2013  0.57"
06-28-2013  0.02"
06-29-2013  0.11"

06-30-2013  0.83"
( Late PM-Evening Storm )

June Total: 8.39"
( As of Midnight June 30 )

2013 Total: 36.63"

12-Month Total: 70.71"
( July 1, 2012 thru June 30, 2013 )

July 2, 2013
Green Bottle Fly ( Calliphoridae Family )

June 2013 Rainfall Days
Robinson Knob of High Knob Massif
Observer: Otis & Nancy Ward
Elevation 3240 feet

06-02-2013  0.36"
06-03-2013  1.28"
06-04-2013  0.07"

06-06-2013  0.61"
06-07-2013  0.67"
06-08-2013  0.37"

06-10-2013  0.77"
06-11-2013  1.45"

06-14-2013  0.39"

06-17-2013  0.05"
06-18-2013  1.27"
06-19-2013  0.96"

06-21-2013  0.09"

06-25-2013  0.15"

06-27-2013  0.20"
06-28-2013  0.11"
06-29-2013  0.02"

06-30-2013  0.57"
( Late PM-Evening Storm )

June Total: 9.39"
( As of Midnight June 30 )

2013 Total: 40.83" ( M )

12-Month Total: 80.52" ( M )
( July 1, 2012 thru June 30, 2013 )

( M ) - Missing moisture in deeper falls of snow.

House Fly Relative ( Likely Muscidae Family )

The 12-month period from July 2012-June 2013 generated 70" to 80"+ of total precipitation amid the lifting zone of the High Knob Massif ( * ).

*MAX 12-month totals reached around 85.00" in wettest places of the massif between Big Cherry Lake, Bark Camp Lake, and the Norton Reservoirs ( as suggested by gauges & Doppler radar ).

MAX 12-month totals of 90-100"+ have been measured in
wettest places from the Great Smokies and Black Mountains across southwestern North Carolina ( where this type of air flow pattern is especially productive with lifting of unmodified, deep tropical air masses first reaching the Appalachians ).

MAX 12-month totals, by contrast, vary in the 35.00" to 45.00" range for many reporting sites within the Greenbrier River and New River basins of West Virginia & Virginia.

The significance of this with respect to southwestern Virginia is realized by direct comparison with adjacent sites ( where totals 
also include rainfall through all of June 30 ).

12-Month Precipitation Totals
( July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013 )

Wytheville 1 S: 44.90"

Burkes Garken: 50.71"

Lebanon: 51.79"

Clintwood 1 W: 52.09"

Richlands: 52.19"

Grundy: 52.73"

Nora 4 SSE: 54.07"

This continues the well established climatological trend, as highlighted in past years, of decreasing precipitation upstream amid the Clinch River Basin with the raw rain gauge total of 80.52" measured by Otis & Nancy Ward in Robinson Knob being 29.81" more than measured by observer Pam Rose in Burkes Garden.

The much greater winter snowfall at Robinson Knob makes the above even more significant since the smaller 4"-diameter NWS rain gauge there likely had greater moisture losses than the 8"-diameter NWS rain gauge used in Burkes Garden ( in the longer-term the Big Cherry Dam measuring site is wetter than Robinson Knob and certainly has much greater moisture losses on its
4"-diameter NWS rain gauge throughout the entire year ).

Female Long-Legged Fly ( Condylostylus spp. )

I want thank my friend & Research Entomologist 

Justin Runyon for the general identification of flies highlighted amid this section. 

While precipitation differences occur during any given day, month, or year this trend toward 2 to 3+ FEET more on an annual basis in the lifting zone of the High Knob Massif verses locations in the upper Clinch River Basin and New River Basin of southwestern Virginia helps enhance the biological diversity & karstification of this region over time 

( e.g., some species like it drier & some wetter ).

This likewise has huge implications for the Russell Fork and Levisa Fork basins which are often shadowed by the High Knob Landform - Black Mountains on moisture bearing S-SW winds.

HDR Photograph of Terrain Airflow Waves

Moisture Banking Up Against The Cumberlands

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

The orographic forcing season, as I have taught, 

is consistent in producing the largest precipitation differences as synoptic-scale pressure gradients develop winds that physically push against the terrain to force the generation of distinct zones with enhanced & diminished precipitation.

Since climatological mean winds have a westerly component that biases the Cumberland Block of far southwestern Virginia, which also does not rest leeward of the West Virginia highlands, for the heaviest precipitation amounts as air banks up against the High Knob Landform - Tennessee Valley Divide and Pine Mountain 

( lifting amid the High Knob Massif - Black Mountain corridor 

being most dominant in the Cumberland Block ).

Doppler Estimated Rainfall During June 2013

Major variations in rainfall over short distances often occur during the convective season and tend to be more random in nature due to a high degree of chaos related to the nonlinear nature of convective processes with many complex factors.

Yet there is some order to this chaos, with organized air flows having westerly or easterly components still acting to impact 

the rainfall regime at times when they occur amid added superimposed factors such as instabilities, convective triggers, and feedbacks that may or may not be directly terrain related.

May Drier Than Normal With Seasonal Temps

May 9, 2013

Spring Beauty ( Claytonia virginica )

The High Knob Landform

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 ).

May 6, 2013
Maple Gap Area of High Knob Massif
Large-Flowered Trillium ( Trillium grandiflorum )

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

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" )

( 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

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

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 )

Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.

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 )

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 )

Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.

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 )

Photograph by Harold L. Jerrell - © All Rights Reserved.

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

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

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

Photograph by Harold L. Jerrell - © All Rights Reserved.

May 11, 2013
Along Majestic Cumberland Mountain
Log Hewing In Wilderness Road State Park

Photograph by Harold L. Jerrell - © All Rights Reserved.

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 )

Photograph by Harold L. Jerrell - © All Rights Reserved.

April 27, 2013
Eastern Chipmunk ( Tamias striatus )

Photograph by Harold L. Jerrell - © All Rights Reserved.

April 14, 2013
Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Pheucticus ludovicianus )

Photograph by Harold L. Jerrell - © All Rights Reserved.

April 11, 2013
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly ( Papilio glaucus )

Photograph by Harold L. Jerrell - © All Rights Reserved.



June 2013 Begins WET

May 23, 2013
Gorgeous Rainbow Above The Cumberlands

Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.

Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"The evening storm passed  to leave us with a rainbow displayed with the white locust blooms."

Faint Second Rainbow Appears

Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.

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

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"

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

Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.

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.

Wetness & Spring Transformations - April 2013

April 7, 2013

Jefferson National Forest

Birch Knob of Pine Mountain

Sunrise Above A Sea Of Mountain Ridges

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

( NW Mountain Flank of the Cumberland Overthrust Block )

A High Dynamic Range ( HDR ) photograph taken by Roddy in early April illustrates the majesty of a chilly spring morning from the highest viewing point in Dickenson County.

The Great Cumberland Overthrust Block

Rod Addington Photography

A high resolution photograph of the same sunrise was taken by Wayne Riner along the southeastern flank of the Cumberland Block.

April 7, 2013

Wind Twisted Oaks On Long Ridge

 Bare Trees Against Morning Sunrise

Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.

( SE Mountain Flank of the Cumberland Overthrust Block )

Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...

"These old oaks will soon be covered with leaves due to the upcoming warmer weather and rain."

Big gnarly oaks bent against the wind demand respect for age, endurance, and pure majesty as large, prominent features of the floral landscape 
of planet Earth.

Plants, like these great oaks, know without "thought" that all creatures great and small must have roots that run deeply into something bigger than themselves or otherwise be tossed to and fro in chaos 
by the winds of life.

Surely the most intelligent creature 
on Earth can understand?

What Plants Talk About - On PBS & Nature

                                Please Support Your PBS ( Blue Ridge PBS )

Plants release chemicals known as volatiles that play important and amazing roles in the way they talk and interact with each other.

Justin Runyon, a friend and former Virginia resident and graduate of the University of Virginia's College in Wise, is a Research Entomologist for the U.S. Forest Service.

Although not getting the credit and on-air time in What Plants Talk About, Justin did all the research on Dodder ( Cuscuta pentagona ) that marked a turning point in understanding plant communications ( thank you Justin for this great work! ). 

Volatile Chemical Cues Guide Host Location-Selection PDF

Dr. Justin Runyon - Research Entomologist

Wetness Feeds A Glorious 

Spring Rebirth In 2013

April 17, 2013

Powell River Valley of Lee County

Flooding Near Pennington Gap

Photograph by Rodney Parsons - © All Rights Reserved.

The High Knob Landform

Abundant rainfall during the April 1-26 period, with widespread 4.00" to 7.00"+ totals reported from the City of Norton and Town of Appalachia southwest along the High Knob Landform, has supported a wondrous transformation into Spring!

April 17, 2013
Powell Valley of High Knob Massif
Abundant Moisture Feeds Emergence Of Spring

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

I have and will forever be fascinated by the way colors of emerging early-mid spring vegetation mimics autumn in reverse amid these
ancient Appalachians!

April 17, 2013
( Lower Elevations )
Remnant Massif of High Knob Landform
Colors Of Diverse Early-Mid Spring Forest

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

Colors begin at the bottom and work upward in elevation over time during spring, as leaf growth increases toward summer maturity and 
a maximum in productivity ( * ).

*Color changes begin at the top and work downward in elevation over time during autumn, as leaf productivity decreases into senescence and winter dormancy.

My friend Addison Stallard wrote 
beautifully about this many years ago:

HKL Spring Differences: Elevation + Latitude

April 17, 2013
Head of Powell Valley of High Knob Massif
Spring Transformations In The Vertical

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

Spring ephemerals take advantage of high light, low leaf density of early-mid spring to flourish amid these spectacular mountain forests ( ** ).

**Blooming extending into late spring at upper elevations and cooler mountain drainages.

Glorious Spring Renewal ( Spring Ephemerals )

April 17, 2013
Lower to Middle Elevations of Massif
Wild Geranium ( Geranium spp. ) In Bloom

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

My friends Roddy Addington & Bill Harris both won first place ( out of 5 dozen entries ) with photos taken at the recent Cumberland Falls Nature Photo Workshop & Competition.

April 2013
Fire Pink ( Silene virginica )

Photograph by Bill Harris - © All Rights Reserved.

My friends Wayne & Genevie Riner recently captured a pair of gorgeous Zebra Swallowtails

Zebra Swallowtail ( Protographium marcellus )

Photograph by Wayne Riner - © All Rights Reserved.

Wayne Riner Photograph Thoughts...
"This butterfly's distinctive wing shape and long tails make it easy to identify, and its black and white-striped pattern is reminiscent of a zebra. 
The butterflies are closely associated with pawpaws, and are rarely found far from these trees."



Climate Statistics
For April 2013

( Lower Elevations of Russell Fork Basin )
Clintwood 1 W - Elevation 1560 feet
Average Daily MAX: 67.2 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 36.1 degrees
MEAN: 51.6 degrees
Highest Temperature: 86 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 22 degrees
April Rainfall: 4.65"
2013 Precipitation: 18.25"

( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 62.9 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 35.5 degrees
MEAN: 49.2 degrees
Highest Temperature: 80 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 21 degrees
April Rainfall: 5.56"
2013 Precipitation: 24.34"

( Along the Tennessee Valley Divide )
Nora 4 SSE - Elevation 2650 feet
Average Daily MAX: 61.5 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 41.9 degrees
MEAN: 51.7 degrees
Highest Temperature: 78 degrees
Lowest Temperature: 26 degrees
April Rainfall: 4.92"
2013 Precipitation: 19.28"

April featured near average temperatures, above average rainfall, and below average snowfall.

In the High Knob Massif temps during April varied from middle 50s by day at highest elevations to mid 30s to around 40 degrees at night ( low-mid 30s in coldest valleys of the 2400-3500 foot zone ).

Rainfall was abundant with a general 6.00" to 7.00"+ across upper elevations in the massif 
( local totals to around 8.00" fell upon portions 
of the High Knob Landform in Lee County ).

April 21, 2013
White Rocks of Cumberland Mountain
Spring In The Powell River Valley of Lee County

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

April wetness continued the trend established during March.

Robinson Knob of High Knob Massif
Days With Measurable Precipitation
Observers: Otis & Nancy Ward
Elevation 3240 feet

March-April 2013

03/01:  0.23"
03/02:  0.12"
03/03:  0.16"

03/06:  1.70"

03/12:  0.91"

03/16:  0.19"
03/17:  0.20"

03/19:  1.38"

03/24:  0.23"
03/25:  0.95"
03/26:  0.40"
03/27:  0.08"

03/30:  0.46"

04/01:  0.15"

04/05:  0.74"

04/12:  0.96"

04/15:  0.25"

04/17:  0.81"
04/18:  0.70"

04/20:  1.08"

04/25:  0.22"

04/28:  0.68"
04/29:  0.37"
04/30:  0.19"

March-April Total: 13.16"

April 13, 2013
Beautiful Moth Species Adds Extra Touch To
Large-Flowered Trillium ( Trillium grandiflorum )

Gary Hampton & staff measured 14.36" of precipitation at Big Cherry Dam during March-April, which implied more than 15.00" of water equivalent precip fell in wettest portions of mid-upper Big Cherry Basin ( head of South Fork of Powell River ) where March snowfall was heaviest.

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"

2013 Total: 28.47" ( M )

Total Since December 1: 35.47" ( M )

December-April Average per Month: 7.09"
( 0.55" above 6-year December-April Average of 6.54" per month )

( 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 ).

Red-spotted Newt ( Notophthalmus viridescens )

A Different Start To Spring 2013

April 3, 2013

Elevation Around 3100 feet

Maple Gap of High Knob Massif

Looking From Green Pastures Near Maple Gap

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

The High Knob Landform

The view in early April 2013 is strikingly different from that observed one year ago as a cold, snowy opening to Spring 2013 has it running way behind the anomalously warm Spring 2012 opening.

Roddy captured only a few budding maples around 
the high pastures of Maple Gap above, in contrast to significant patches of green observed one year ago 
when beautiful Trilliums were also in bloom!

Spring Majesty In Maple Gap - April 2012

Although this weather pattern is finally beginning to change, at least through the coming week, the first week of April this year was much colder than observed in 2012.

Climate Statistics
April 2013 verses April 2012

April 1-7, 2013
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 52.2 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 25.7 degrees
April 1-7 MEAN: 38.9 degrees

April 1-7, 2012
( Northern Base of High Knob Massif )
City of Norton - Elevation 2141 feet
Average Daily MAX: 67.9 degrees
Average Daily MIN: 39.1 degrees
April 1-7 MEAN: 53.5 degrees

This is all part of the wondrous spring emergence differences which make the High Knob Landform and southern Appalachians simply spectacular during this time of year.

High Knob Landform
Spring Emergence Differences ( Elevation + Latitude )

The December 1 to April 5 period was also wet in this area with up to 31.00"+ of total precipitation amid the main crest zone of the High Knob Massif, from Bowman Mountain across Big Cherry Basin to the Maple Gap - Thunderstruck Knob section.

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 1-5:  1.08"

2013 Total: 22.84" ( M )

Total Since December 1: 29.84" ( M )

( 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 ).

April 3, 2013
Upper Tennessee River Basin
South Fork of Powell River Watershed
Looking To South Fork Gorge From Maple Gap

Photograph by Roddy Addington - © All Rights Reserved.

The country labeled above is located just off the 
far right end of this photograph by John Mullins.

April 14, 2012
Viewed from Black Mountain ( Along State Route 160 )
Looking Across Central Part of High Knob Massif

Photograph by John Mullins - © All Rights Reserved.

The view southwest of this photograph being labeled below, with Roddy's photograph of April 3, 2013 located within the section near the Maple Gap Karst Fields ( looking toward the line marking the southwest end of the Big Cherry Basin section ). 

April 14, 2012
Viewed from Black Mountain ( Along State Route 160 )
Looking Across Southwest Part of High Knob Massif

Photograph by John Mullins - © All Rights Reserved.

Big Cherry Dam is 1103 vertical feet lower than the peak of High Knob, with the basin of Big Cherry Lake sloping upward from southwest to northeast to the summit level of the sprawling massif.

Choosing a view from above, it was hard to 
beat the Autumn Color Show of 2012.

Awesome Color Show of Autumn 2012
Big Cherry Lake of High Knob Massif

The next few weeks should see spring emergence accelerate, with April 15 to May 15 typically being the most explosive period of floral and faunal activity across lower & middle elevations ( * ).

Mid May to early June completing the "green up" 

across upper elevations of the High Knob Massif.

*More cold, even wintry, spells are likely 

to occur during this time period.