The Knox News Sentinel published a few stats today that demonstrate how wind speeds have increased during that time period.
> Records show that between 1996 and 2003, the park averaged 25 hours per year when wind speeds exceeded 40 mph. Between 2004 and 2009, that average increased to 45 hours.
> From 1996 through 2003, the park's peak one-hour average wind speed was 51 mph. Between 2004 and 2009, the peak one-hour average increased to 62 mph.
"Since 2003, the average number of hours per year where winds were greater than 40 mph have increased, and peak wind speeds have increased as well," said Jim Renfro, the park's air-quality specialist.
Renfro said high winds similar to those that destroyed the Caughron barn in Cades Cove on Christmas Eve also occurred in the park on Dec. 2 and Dec. 8-9, with 100-mph gusts recorded at 2 a.m. on Dec. 9. High winds also occurred on Jan. 4, Jan. 21, Feb. 5, and Feb. 9.
In a separate article, the Knox News Sentinel is also reporting that it's unlikely that the Caughron barn in Cades Cove will be rebuilt, according to park officials.
The 98-year-old barn built by George Caughron, brother of Kermit Caughron, who died in 1999 and was the last of the original Cades Cove residents, was located between stops numbers 13 and 14 on the Loop Road. The barn was leveled when high winds swept through the Cove on Christmas Eve this past December. Wind speeds that night were measured in excess of 80 mph at the top of 3,481-foot Cove Mountain, where the National Park Service maintains a weather and air-quality monitoring station.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.
Hiking Tours