A Busy Weekend on the Summit!

2016-09-05 18:05:22.000 – Michael Dorfman, Weather Observer/IT Specialist

Summer is beginning to slowly blend into fall as the upper 50 degree temperature range slowly slips out of normalcy here on the summit! We are even starting to see patches of yellow in the valley, although the drought in the area may be playing a role in some premature turning of leaves. Labor Day Weekend, one of the summit’s biggest weekends of the summer and always an indicator that fall is on its way, has come and gone.

Fall is a dangerous time of year on the summit. While temperatures still hover in the 60s and 70s in the valley, summit temperatures can dip well below freezing. We typically see our first rime even in early September and our first snow event in the middle of the month. Even for the most seasoned outdoor adventurer, it’s easy to underestimate very cold temperatures, which often combine with very brisk wind, above tree line. If you do plan to venture into the mountains, be sure to check our higher summits forecast before you go!

Michael Dorfman, Weather Observer/IT Specialist