Average Evening Temperature Lows in May, from Springer through Smokies?

[Chasebrooklyn]

I'm starting May 1st from Springer. What should I be expecting for the average night time temperature lows from Springer through the Smokies...

Does it typically go below freezing?

I'm not really worried about the day time lows because so long as I'm moving, I'm warm. It's the evening that kills me. I'm a cold sleeper, so I really want to make sure that I bring enough cold weather clothing, in addition to my already warm bag and pad.

Also, since I'm starting in May, should I bring a coat? I was planning on just bringing a heavy fleece, in addition to my thermal baselayers.

[scope]

No, not below freezing probably at all. Likely that you'll be around upper 40s to mid 50s norm. Certainly, watch the weather because there is a possibility of 30s lows before mid-month. Smokies might be a bit more of a crapshoot before Memorial Day.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Average lows for the MONTH of May are 39°F - but those temperatures includes the latter and warmer part of the month.
The median (as many above as below) MONTHLY low is 25°F. Typical range of MONTHLY lows in past years are 17° to 30°F. These are the low temperatures you should expect to encounter at some point during the month, likely only for a few nights in the beginning of the month, but you should be prepared for them.
Recent coldest temp recorded during May is a low of 17°F in 2004.
This all taken from Mt. LeConte weather data at 6493 ft ASL

[4eyedbuzzard]

Add to above, temps in Blairsville GA will run about 10°F warmer than GSMNP the same time of year.

[The Cleaner]

On 5-10-11 I was at the Overmountain Barn shelter where the temp dropped to 36*. Add 30-40 mph winds across the open high balds there and it was cold.

[Deacon]

I'm starting May 1st from Springer. What should I be expecting for the average night time temperature lows from Springer through the Smokies...

Does it typically go below freezing?

I'm not really worried about the day time lows because so long as I'm moving, I'm warm. It's the evening that kills me. I'm a cold sleeper, so I really want to make sure that I bring enough cold weather clothing, in addition to my already warm bag and pad.

Also, since I'm starting in May, should I bring a coat? I was planning on just bringing a heavy fleece, in addition to my thermal baselayers.

Just be very cautious in the Smokies. They're called the Smokies for a reason.

While it's not likely you'd experience freezing nights, you may experience thick fog, which can be just as penetrating as freezing temps. I've experienced a combination of fog, wind, and rain, that I have not experienced anywhere else, except in the Smokies. This can be a deadly combination.

So you want to have enough warmth to allow for this. I would want a 20 degree bag for night in the Smokies.

[HooKooDooKu]

Climate data for GSMNP indicates that average seasonal temperatures for May is a hi/lo of around 80º/50º in the valleys and around 55º/45º on top of the mountains.
Typical temperature fluctuations are at least +/-10º around these seasonal averages, but heat/cold waves can easily push these averages by +/-15º and more.
As an example, I've been told that it has snowed up at LeConte Lodge at one time or another in every month of the year except July and August.

[Chasebrooklyn]

Thanks for the prompt and very helpful information.

My bag's EN rating is 0 degrees, but I always add 30 degrees to the EN rating due to my cold sleep issue. Also, my sleep pad is an R6.

I'll be sure to bring extra layers and a fleece for sleeping. Not worth the risk.

Yeah, ultralight hiking will never be an option for me... except for when I'm in the desert.

[Venchka]

Thanks for the prompt and very helpful information.

My bag's EN rating is 0 degrees, but I always add 30 degrees to the EN rating due to my cold sleep issue. Also, my sleep pad is an R6.

I'll be sure to bring extra layers and a fleece for sleeping. Not worth the risk.

Yeah, ultralight hiking will never be an option for me... except for when I'm in the desert.

The desert will fool you. Freeze your behind off just as often as the Smokies.
Ok, sounds like your 0 degree bag isn't really a 0 degree bag. I understand sleeping cold, but you're carrying the weight off 2 bags just to be comfortable in the Teens. Can you give us some details of your bag? Fill type and weight of fill? Top loft or total loft? Brand and model? Total weight?
Perhaps you just think that you sleep cold because your bag is really cold. Your pad is fine.
Wayne


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[Chasebrooklyn]

The desert will fool you. Freeze your behind off just as often as the Smokies.
Ok, sounds like your 0 degree bag isn't really a 0 degree bag. I understand sleeping cold, but you're carrying the weight off 2 bags just to be comfortable in the Teens. Can you give us some details of your bag? Fill type and weight of fill? Top loft or total loft? Brand and model? Total weight?
Perhaps you just think that you sleep cold because your bag is really cold. Your pad is fine.
Wayne


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It's definitely a zero degree bag... Fahrenheit.

The North Face Inferno. 800 down fill. It weighs 3lbs exactly. It's very warm bag, but like I said, I'm a very cold sleeper so for me I wouldn't want to use it below 32degrees, unless I had some extra warmth base layers and fleece. Which is what my original post was about.

I'm 5'11" at 150lbs.... My body just doesn't produce heat when I'm stationary. I've used plenty of other bags in the past rated for 20 degrees and they just don't cut it for me. I freeze. I'd probably get TNF Inferno -40degreee bag for anything that actually goes down to zero degrees.

[Venchka]

It's definitely a zero degree bag... Fahrenheit.

The North Face Inferno. 800 down fill. It weighs 3lbs exactly. It's very warm bag, but like I said, I'm a very cold sleeper so for me I wouldn't want to use it below 32degrees, unless I had some extra warmth base layers and fleece. Which is what my original post was about.

I'm 5'11" at 150lbs.... My body just doesn't produce heat when I'm stationary. I've used plenty of other bags in the past rated for 20 degrees and they just don't cut it for me. I freeze. I'd probably get TNF Inferno -40degreee bag for anything that actually goes down to zero degrees.

Good luck. Everyone is different. I hope you have a great hike.
Wayne


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[DownEaster]

It's definitely a zero degree bag... Fahrenheit.

The North Face Inferno. 800 down fill. It weighs 3lbs exactly. It's very warm bag, but like I said, I'm a very cold sleeper so for me I wouldn't want to use it below 32degrees, unless I had some extra warmth base layers and fleece.

The heat-sensor mannequins used in the EN tests are clothed in one layer of long underwear and a hat, so "extra warmth base layers" are already figured into the temperature ratings.

A couple of pieces of advice that might help you stay comfortable:

1. Eat something just before going to sleep, because your body needs fuel to generate warmth.
2. Start warm. Get into your bag and do a few push-ups and crunches before zipping up all the way. Your resting metabolism will take a long time to warm up your bag and the air inside. Your active metabolism will warm things up in a jiffy.

[Chasebrooklyn]

1. Start warm. Get into your bag and do a few push-ups and crunches before zipping up all the way. Your resting metabolism will take a long time to warm up your bag and the air inside. Your active metabolism will warm things up in a jiffy.

Yeah, but then I'm suddenly awake/alert again, and can't fall asleep.

[Dogwood]

Thanks for the prompt and very helpful information.

My bag's EN rating is 0 degrees, but I always add 30 degrees to the EN rating due to my cold sleep issue. Also, my sleep pad is an R6.

I'll be sure to bring extra layers and a fleece for sleeping. Not worth the risk.

Yeah, ultralight hiking will never be an option for me... except for when I'm in the desert.

Uber is having a cut rate deal for UL hikers saving you money.

[Rain Man]

For the GSMNP, you might like this site, especially the link for the "Monthly graph of temperature & precipitation averages" near the center of the page under the heading "Climate & Past Observations"?

https://www.outragegis.com/weather/grsm/

[error]

EN ratings are in Celsius. So 0 degrees (and you didn't say which rating that was) is the freezing point.

[Venchka]

EN ratings are in Celsius. So 0 degrees (and you didn't say which rating that was) is the freezing point.

Oh dear. That explains a lot. However I did have a North Face Hightail 3S for 3 days. The EN temperature numbers were in Centigrade and Fahrenheit. However, in the conversion process they rounded the Fahrenheit temps down. That and several other reasons conspired to make me return the bag.
Sleeping bags are all about the details.
Wayne


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[Chasebrooklyn]

EN ratings are in Celsius. So 0 degrees (and you didn't say which rating that was) is the freezing point.

Since we're in America, and talking about the AT, I think it's fair to assume I'm using Fahrenheit.

[Venchka]

If this is your bag, you are a COLD sleeper.
http://www.gearinstitute.com/hiking/...face-inferno-0
Good luck.
Wayne


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[Venchka]

Ps: Low temperature occurs in the wee hours of the morning. Usually about sunrise. Evening temperatures are generally quite comfortable compared to low temperatures.
Wayne


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