Skip to content
PhotoWeather
Get started
More Morning Frost in Smoky Mountains & Blue Ridge
Create your own alerts
Rule Morning Frost

Sylva - Morning Frost - Smoky Mountains & Blue Ridge

Sylva, North Carolina, United States

Frost crystals on calm, cold mornings near sunrise

No opportunities right now
Here’s what usually blocks matches

No Morning Frost opportunities in the next 14 days

Get notified
Free alerts · takes 30 seconds
Rule requirements (key thresholds)
Time Window · Sunrise -45m to +90m Frost Probability · ≥ 60.0% Wind Speed · ≤ 1.5m/s

Tip: Scroll down to the 72-hour table to see exactly which condition fails hour by hour.

Most common blockers (next 72 hours)
Frost Probability 100% failing
Time Window 88% failing
Wind Speed 54% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Frost Probability
0%
Soil Temperature19.7°C
Dew Point18.0°C (high dew point)
Wind Speed1.1m/s (calm conditions)
Cloud Cover0%

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/New_York

No opportunities in the next 10 days

See the blocker timeline below to understand which conditions are preventing matches.

What this forecast looks for

Plain-language explanation from the rule

This forecast predicts the first hard frost events that enhance the Smokies' autumn landscapes with crystalline textures. We track overnight temperatures, humidity, and elevation to identify when frost will coat mountain meadows, overlooks, and exposed vegetation with sparkling ice crystals at dawn.

The Smokies' elevation range means frost arrives at different times depending on altitude. Clingmans Dome and high overlooks can see frost as early as late September, while valleys may not freeze until late October or November. This staggered frost timing extends the season for frost photography and creates interesting elevation-based opportunities.

What makes Smoky Mountains frost photography exceptional:

  • Mountain meadows - High-elevation grassy areas like Andrews Bald develop heavy frost coverage on clear nights
  • Clingmans Dome conditions - At 6,643 feet, the highest point often experiences hoar frost creating alien landscapes
  • Frozen waterfalls - Later season frost leads to ice formations on the Smokies' countless waterfalls
  • Foliage combination - Early season frost can coincide with peak color, coating colorful leaves with ice crystals

Best frost photography requires clear, calm nights with temperatures dropping into the mid-20s Fahrenheit. High elevation locations experience frost most reliably, while valley locations need colder conditions. Arrive before dawn to catch frost plus first light—frost melts quickly after sunrise. Classic locations include Clingmans Dome observation tower, Grassy patches along Appalachian Trail, and roadside overlooks above 5,000 feet elevation.

Create your own Morning Frost alerts

Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.

Get this template

72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 80 hours
AND logic: all conditions required
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
America/New_York
Time Window
Sunrise -45m to +90m
Frost Probability
≥ 60.0%
Wind Speed
≤ 1.5m/s
Wed, Jul 8
24:00✕0%0.75m/s
01:00✕0%0.7m/s
02:00✕0%0.48m/s
03:00✕0%0.47m/s
04:00✕0%0.27m/s
05:00✓0%0.51m/s
06:00✓0%0.63m/s
07:00✓0%0.4m/s
08:00✕0%0.56m/s
09:00✕0%0.52m/s
10:00✕0%1.1m/s
11:00✕0%1.8m/s
12:00✕0%1.9m/s
13:00✕0%1.9m/s
14:00✕0%3.2m/s
15:00✕0%4.1m/s
16:00✕0%3.1m/s
17:00✕0%3.3m/s
18:00✕0%2.9m/s
19:00✕0%2.3m/s
20:00✕0%1.2m/s
21:00✕0%0.64m/s
22:00✕0%0.47m/s
23:00✕0%0.58m/s
Thu, Jul 9
24:00✕0%0.6m/s
01:00✕0%0.3m/s
02:00✕0%0.28m/s
03:00✕0%0.42m/s
04:00✕0%0.5m/s
05:00✓0%0.3m/s
06:00✓0%0.37m/s
07:00✓0%0.43m/s
08:00✕0%0.14m/s
09:00✕0%0.93m/s
10:00✕0%2.1m/s
11:00✕0%2.9m/s
12:00✕0%3.4m/s
13:00✕0%3.7m/s
14:00✕0%4.1m/s
15:00✕0%4.5m/s
16:00✕0%4.5m/s
17:00✕0%4.2m/s
18:00✕0%3.5m/s
19:00✕0%2.6m/s
20:00✕0%0.87m/s
21:00✕0%0.11m/s
22:00✕0%0.53m/s
23:00✕0%0.03m/s
Fri, Jul 10
24:00✕0%0.6m/s
01:00✕0%0.1m/s
02:00✕0%0.06m/s
03:00✕0%0.33m/s
04:00✕0%0.55m/s
05:00✓0%0.91m/s
06:00✓0%0.47m/s
07:00✓0%0.58m/s
08:00✕0%0.38m/s
09:00✕0%1.5m/s
10:00✕0%3.3m/s
11:00✕0%4.2m/s
12:00✕0%4.5m/s
13:00✕0%4.5m/s
14:00✕0%4.6m/s
15:00✕0%3.9m/s
16:00✕0%3.1m/s
17:00✕0%2.3m/s
18:00✕0%2.2m/s
19:00✕0%2.1m/s
20:00✕0%1.9m/s
21:00✕0%1.7m/s
22:00✕0%1.5m/s
23:00✕0%1.4m/s
Sat, Jul 11
24:00✕0%1.5m/s
01:00✕0%1.6m/s
02:00✕0%1.8m/s
03:00✕0%2.1m/s
04:00✕0%2.5m/s
05:00✓0%2.8m/s
06:00✓0%2.5m/s
07:00✓0%2.2m/s
How to read: colored cells show whether each predicate requirement is met; highlighted rows mean the full rule matched (an opportunity).

What does Frost Probability mean?

Inputs that drive the score

This derived score summarizes multiple raw weather signals. The table below shows the supporting inputs hour by hour, so you can see what's pushing the score up or down.

Time
America/New_York
Dew Point
°C
Surface Temperature
°C
Temperature
°C
Time Window
Total Cloud Coverage
%
Vapor Pressure Deficit
kPa
Wed, Jul 8 Sunrise 06:25 Sunset 20:50
10:00
18°C 20°C 24°C - 0% 0.86kPa
11:00
16°C 20°C 26°C - 0% 1.5kPa
12:00
16°C 20°C 27°C - 5% 1.9kPa
13:00
15°C 20°C 29°C - 21% 2.3kPa
14:00
14°C 20°C 30°C - 54% 2.6kPa
15:00
14°C 21°C 29°C - 67% 2.5kPa
16:00
15°C 21°C 29°C - 85% 2.3kPa
17:00
15°C 21°C 27°C - 99% 1.7kPa
18:00
16°C 21°C 26°C - 36% 1.4kPa
19:00
17°C 21°C 25°C - 100% 1.2kPa
20:00 ☾
17°C 21°C 22°C - 81% 0.8kPa
21:00 ☾
16°C 21°C 21°C - 4% 0.8kPa
22:00 ☾
15°C 21°C 19°C - 0% 0.48kPa
23:00 ☾
15°C 21°C 18°C - 0% 0.37kPa
Thu, Jul 9 Sunrise 06:25 Sunset 20:50
24:00 ☾
15°C 21°C 18°C - 1% 0.29kPa
01:00 ☾
15°C 21°C 17°C - 1% 0.23kPa
02:00 ☾
15°C 20°C 17°C - 2% 0.16kPa
03:00 ☾
15°C 20°C 16°C - 0% 0.1kPa
04:00 ☾
15°C 20°C 16°C - 0% 0.08kPa
05:00 ☾
15°C 20°C 16°C - 0% 0.07kPa
06:00 ☾
15°C 20°C 16°C - 0% 0.07kPa
07:00
16°C 20°C 16°C - 0% 0.09kPa
08:00
17°C 20°C 19°C - 0% 0.29kPa
09:00
17°C 20°C 22°C - 0% 0.75kPa
10:00
16°C 20°C 24°C - 5% 1.2kPa
11:00
16°C 20°C 26°C - 22% 1.5kPa
12:00
16°C 20°C 26°C - 44% 1.6kPa
13:00
16°C 20°C 27°C - 72% 1.8kPa
14:00
15°C 20°C 28°C - 59% 2.1kPa
15:00
15°C 21°C 29°C - 69% 2.3kPa
16:00
15°C 21°C 28°C - 83% 2.1kPa
17:00
15°C 21°C 28°C - 96% 2kPa
18:00
16°C 21°C 26°C - 63% 1.4kPa
19:00
18°C 21°C 23°C - 11% 0.85kPa
20:00 ☾
19°C 21°C 21°C - 81% 0.37kPa
21:00 ☾
17°C 21°C 19°C - 0% 0.28kPa
22:00 ☾
17°C 21°C 18°C - 0% 0.16kPa
23:00 ☾
17°C 21°C 18°C - 0% 0.15kPa
Fri, Jul 10 Sunrise 06:26 Sunset 20:49
24:00 ☾
16°C 21°C 17°C - 0% 0.15kPa
01:00 ☾
16°C 20°C 17°C - 0% 0.14kPa
02:00 ☾
16°C 20°C 17°C - 0% 0.11kPa
03:00 ☾
16°C 20°C 16°C - 0% 0.1kPa
04:00 ☾
16°C 20°C 17°C - 3% 0.11kPa
05:00 ☾
16°C 20°C 17°C - 0% 0.12kPa
06:00 ☾
16°C 20°C 17°C - 5% 0.11kPa
07:00
16°C 20°C 17°C - 66% 0.12kPa
08:00
17°C 20°C 19°C - 5% 0.23kPa
09:00
18°C 20°C 22°C - 2% 0.62kPa
10:00
17°C 20°C 24°C - 0% 1.1kPa
11:00
16°C 20°C 26°C - 6% 1.6kPa
12:00
15°C 20°C 28°C - 7% 2kPa
13:00
15°C 20°C 29°C - 3% 2.2kPa
14:00
14°C 20°C 29°C - 2% 2.5kPa
15:00
17°C 21°C 26°C - 34% 1.4kPa
16:00
17°C 21°C 22°C - 66% 0.66kPa
17:00
17°C 21°C 18°C - 98% 0.16kPa
18:00
17°C 21°C 18°C - 99% 0.13kPa
19:00
17°C 21°C 18°C - 99% 0.1kPa
20:00 ☾
17°C 20°C 18°C - 100% 0.08kPa
21:00 ☾
17°C 20°C 18°C - 100% 0.07kPa
22:00 ☾
17°C 20°C 18°C - 100% 0.07kPa
23:00 ☾
17°C 20°C 18°C - 100% 0.07kPa
Sat, Jul 11 Sunrise 06:27 Sunset 20:49
24:00 ☾
18°C 20°C 18°C - 100% 0.08kPa
01:00 ☾
18°C 20°C 18°C - 100% 0.09kPa
02:00 ☾
18°C 20°C 19°C - 100% 0.1kPa
03:00 ☾
18°C 20°C 21°C - 100% 0.42kPa
04:00 ☾
18°C 20°C 23°C - 100% 0.83kPa
05:00 ☾
17°C 20°C 25°C - 100% 1.3kPa
06:00 ☾
18°C 20°C 24°C - 100% 0.94kPa
07:00
19°C 20°C 23°C - 99% 0.6kPa
08:00
20°C 20°C 22°C - 99% 0.29kPa
09:00
19°C 20°C 21°C - 99% 0.18kPa
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

Get Notified of Opportunities

Create your own custom alerts for this location and more.

Create Free Account