5 replies to this topic

[Franchise]

Should I be concerned about the weather forcast predicting isolated thunderstorms for the first 3 days we are in the park next week?
Or is it like Ohio where the meteorologists have no clue how to predict the weather?

[Aaron]

Well, fortunately we have our own weather guy here that forecasts for EP weatherbe is our resident weather specialist. I'll pm him and make sure he checks into this topic. Check out his site, click here!

As far as that forecast goes....you could apply isolated thunderstorms to about every day this summer.

--Aaron

[waterrat]

Typical weather in RMNP starts with clear to partly cloudy mornings, building clouds through to lunch, afternoon thunderstorms that taper off after a couple of hours in time for a beautiful sunset. *shrugs* Most times when I go up there it rains nearly every day, but it's not that much of a damper on things.

Reminds me of my first hike to Mills Lake. Beautiful morning, clouded up and rained on us on the trail, then it blew over as we arrived at Mills Lake, giving us a bright, shiny, deep blue sky view of Longs, Pagoda, et al. 10 minutes later a bigger and darker cloud obscured those peaks and we headed back. It rained on us off and on headed back to the trailhead, then it got really dark and cold and hailed (pea sized if that) for a while. I had ice caked on my hat and poncho when the shuttle bus arrived. By the time we got back down to the shuttle parking lot we had clear blue skies again, 70 degrees. Then, before we could cross back over the Trail Ridge to Grand Lake, the biggest storm of the day came through and dumped a bunch of snow on Trail Ridge. Then it cleared off for sunset.

My example is a bit of an extreme, but it always bears remembering that mountain weather is volatile and the high peaks really do create their own weather. Just pack rain gear with you if you're on the trail, or umbrellas and such if you stick to the road and stay away from high places in a storm, and you'll have a great time, rain or no rain. I really mean that.

[Rhonda]

Waterrat is correct, it can be that extreme, but usually it's just a brief thunderstorm in the heat of the day and then it clears out. Take advantage of that time to catch a nap or go shopping. Or, if you're on the trail, just don your poncho or raingear and keep below treeline and it will be over before you know it.

This is another reason it's good to hit the trails very early. The storms actually make for some very beautiful weather pictures, I love to see the rainstorms across the mountains from up on TRR, but it can do anything at any time of the year, so just be prepared and it won't spoil anything.

Rhonda

[Weasel]

As far as that forecast goes....you could apply isolated thunderstorms to about every day this summer.

I think that sums it up pretty well. I expect rain/thunderstorms every day - I think I had at least brief sprinkles every day on my trip.

[John]

A little rain doesn't have to spoil the fun, as long as you are below treeline (lightning danger). Raingear will keep you dry, and you can hum that old song...."Oooo, I hear laughter in the rain..." Works for me anyway. And no, Aaron, I won't hold your hand.