Winds started howling overnight ushering in the colder temperatures. Our Friday high temps are likely to be what they are right about now (8am) and we should see temperatures fall a bit through the day. The next roar you’ll hear if you’re in close proximity to any ski area are the snowguns firing IF they choose to crank them up for this particular window of snowmaking opportunities. We’re certain that Snowshoe and Sugar will make snow at the first chance to do so as Snowshoe’s been stockpiling snow if they can get some more snowmaking in this weekend they will. When next week’s cold snap arrives we could see Snowshoe be able to make enough snow to open.
Sugar is likely to make snow today and each night this weekend, because that’s what they do. Cataloochee may follow suit or lead the way – we’ll see. The forecast is pretty "iffy" right now so we’ll keep an eye on things and report as soon as we see the snowguns going.
You can watch the snowguns firing on www.HighCountryWebCams.com at many locations and we’re pleased to report that several other ski areas are considering adding cameras soon.
Let’s be patient as December is meant to be a pretty cold and snowy one according to many long range forecasts. THINK COLD and THINK SNOW!
Here’s the forecast:
Lows this afternoon and evening are expected to dip into the low 20s and we may see a snow shower or two at the higher elevations.
There are a lot of people visiting the mountains this weekend to do their annual choose and cut Christmas tree fun and over the years many of those have tried to couple a ski trip into the weekend. We can tell you that the ski areas are sitting on ready to make snow the moment that the temperatures are cold enough, but if we’re to see any skiing or snowboarding this Thanksgiving weekend it would most likely be on Sunday. Blustery winds are not ideal for snowmaking and we are forecasted to see 10-20 mph winds today and Saturday across much of the region with some gusts to 45 mph. Lows tonight should drop to about 22° at Banner Elk, 27° at Appalachian Ski Mountain, 20° at Timberline and Canaan Valley ski areas.
NC SKI AREA FORECAST:
Friday: Hi 46° Lo 23° – AM showers/PM snow then clearing
Saturday: Hi 42° Lo 22° – Sunny
Sunday: Hi 50° Lo 25° – Sunny
Monday and Tuesday looks rainy and too mild to make snow. Wednesday turns colder with highs in the mid 30s and lows in the upper teens. Thursday looks plenty cold as well with highs in the mid 30s and lows in the lower 20s.
The rains of Monday and Tuesday look to be significant so we could see many ski areas opt out of making snow until Wednesday of next week when the next cold air filters into the region. As we look into the first few days of December things are looking a notch colder with lows in the mid to upper 20s.
WV AND MARYLAND SKI AREA FORECAST:
Friday: Hi 38° Lo 23° – AM showers/PM snow then clearing
Saturday: Hi 33° Lo 19° – Sunny
Sunday: Hi 40° Lo 23° – Sunny
Monday is looking Partly Cloudy with highs around 47° and lows in the mid 30s. Showers creep into the forecast on Tuesday and could end as snow showers on Wednesday with highs Tuesday of around 45° and overnight lows around 29°. Things turn colder Wednesday with highs of 35° and lows in the teens. As we look to December 2nd through 5th it looks like some rain/snow mix and highs in the upper 30s to 40° and lows in the mid 20s or so.
VIRGINIA SKI AREA FORECAST:
Friday: Hi 53° Lo 27° – AM showers/then clearing
Saturday: Hi 47° Lo 25° – Sunny
Sunday: Hi 52° Lo 27° – Sunny
Monday is looking Partly Cloudy with highs around 55° and lows in the mid to upper 30s. Showers creep into the forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday with highs Tuesday of around 60° on Tuesday and overnight lows around 39° on Tuesday night and then mid 20s Wednesday and Thursday nights.
THINK COLD AND SNOW MY FRIENDS…
We urge you to visit:
www.HighCountryWebCams.com
www.HighCountryWeather.com
www.SkiSoutheast.com
Send your comments, photos, videos and trip reports to: [email protected] or [email protected]