Elevation And Temperature: Here in the southern Appalachians, elevation is key in the temperature department and, during the cold season months, resulting weather conditions. On average, for every 1k feet in elevation you gain, you lose 3 degrees off the old thermometer. Of course with radiational cooling events at night, valleys can feature colder conditions than the higher ridge tops, but on average, the higher in elevation one gets, the cooler the temperature!
Here in the southern Appalachian region, elevations range from as low as around 1k feet to close to 7k feet above sea level. More specifically, in Johnson County, lowest elevations are around the Butler community (Watauga Lake) with areas around 1700 feet above sea level, with highest elevations obviously directly along the divide, with Snake Mountain climbing close to 6,000 feet. You can do the math, but when forecasting in this area, various elevation differences certainly pose a challenge to the forecaster!
THAT SAID, if you think this area is tough forecasting, think about the Colorado Rockies! With elevations as low as 4k feet (I know, to most, 4,000 feet above sea level is considered quite high) in the high plains of the eastern part of the state, to as high as 14k feet in the southern and central Rockies, temperature and weather patterns are vastly different. During my stay in Breckenridge, typically there was a 20 degree temperature difference between Breckenridge and Denver- only 70 miles a part, but close to 5,000 feet difference in elevation, and a lot less “urban heat island” effects (more on that on another day).
Just thought I’d go into “professor mode” today for lunch, and educate those that might not understand the whole added challenge of temperature differences with elevation.�
