Sylva - Painted Sky - Smoky Mountains & Blue Ridge
Golden hour clouds lit up in orange, pink and gold
No Painted Sky opportunities in the next 14 days
Tip: Scroll down to the 72-hour table to see exactly which condition fails hour by hour.
Currently
Real-time conditionsUpcoming Opportunities
When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.
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 ruleThis forecast tracks the conditions that create layered, painterly sunsets over the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge—those iconic views of stacked mountain ridges fading into blue atmospheric perspective. We monitor cloud formations, particulates, and weather systems to predict when the sky will add vivid color to already dramatic mountain compositions.
The Smokies and Blue Ridge offer a unique sunset subject: layer upon layer of mountain ridges receding into the distance, each catching sunset light differently. The natural blue haze intensifies atmospheric perspective, creating distinct layers. When vivid sunset colors appear above these layers, the effect is like a painting come to life.
What makes Smoky Mountains painted skies exceptional:
- Layered ridgeline silhouettes - Multiple mountain ranges create natural compositional layers
- Blue atmospheric haze - The Smokies' namesake haze creates strong atmospheric perspective even without fog
- Purpose-built overlooks - Blue Ridge Parkway and Foothills Parkway offer dozens of overlooks designed for mountain sunset views
- Year-round accessibility - Unlike alpine areas, most overlooks remain accessible year-round
Best painted sky conditions occur during transitional weather patterns with mid-to-high level clouds that catch color. Autumn typically offers the most dramatic sunsets due to clearer air and favorable cloud patterns. Winter brings earlier sunset times and often spectacular color. Popular locations include Clingmans Dome for 360-degree views, Waterrock Knob on Blue Ridge Parkway, and any west-facing overlook along Foothills Parkway. Arrive early—the best locations fill up quickly during peak season.
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72-hour requirements breakdown
What passed or failed, hour by hourTime America/New_York | Golden Hour Any | Golden Clouds Potential ≥ 80.0% | Wind Speed ≤ 6.0m/s | Precipitation Chance ≤ 10.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Feb 21 | ||||
| 14:00 | ✕ | 36% | 1.1m/s | 50% |
| 15:00 | ✕ | 15% | 1.7m/s | 45% |
| 16:00 | ✕ | 10% | 1.5m/s | 39% |
| 17:00 | ✓ | 22% | 1.8m/s | 53% |
| 18:00 | ✓ | 40% | 1.8m/s | 68% |
| 19:00 | ✕ | 27% | 1.8m/s | 82% |
| 20:00 | ✕ | 18% | 0.87m/s | 60% |
| 21:00 | ✕ | 18% | 1.3m/s | 65% |
| 22:00 | ✕ | 25% | 1.2m/s | 69% |
| 23:00 | ✕ | 25% | 0.9m/s | 79% |
| Sun, Feb 22 | ||||
| 24:00 | ✕ | 22% | 2.8m/s | 89% |
| 01:00 | ✕ | 17% | 2.8m/s | 99% |
| 02:00 | ✕ | 20% | 2.4m/s | 90% |
| 03:00 | ✕ | 12% | 2.7m/s | 81% |
| 04:00 | ✕ | 10% | 3.1m/s | 72% |
| 05:00 | ✕ | 9% | 3.7m/s | 75% |
| 06:00 | ✓ | 22% | 4.2m/s | 78% |
| 07:00 | ✓ | 27% | 4.6m/s | 82% |
| 08:00 | ✕ | 69% | 4.4m/s | 90% |
| 09:00 | ✕ | 25% | 5.8m/s | 86% |
| 10:00 | ✕ | 9.3% | 6.3m/s | 82% |
| 11:00 | ✕ | 9% | 6.8m/s | 87% |
| 12:00 | ✕ | 9.3% | 7.5m/s | 91% |
| 13:00 | ✕ | 10% | 8.2m/s | 96% |
| 14:00 | ✕ | 9% | 8.4m/s | 96% |
| 15:00 | ✕ | 6.7% | 8.1m/s | 95% |
| 16:00 | ✕ | 8% | 8.1m/s | 94% |
| 17:00 | ✓ | 33% | 7.7m/s | 96% |
| 18:00 | ✓ | 20% | 7.1m/s | 98% |
| 19:00 | ✕ | 15% | 6.7m/s | 99% |
| 20:00 | ✕ | 10% | 7.1m/s | 98% |
| 21:00 | ✕ | 20% | 6.5m/s | 96% |
| 22:00 | ✕ | 18% | 6m/s | 95% |
| 23:00 | ✕ | 12% | 6.1m/s | 96% |
| Mon, Feb 23 | ||||
| 24:00 | ✕ | 13% | 6.1m/s | 98% |
| 01:00 | ✕ | 12% | 5.7m/s | 100% |
| 02:00 | ✕ | 10% | 5.2m/s | 96% |
| 03:00 | ✕ | 10% | 5.1m/s | 92% |
| 04:00 | ✕ | 10% | 4.9m/s | 88% |
| 05:00 | ✕ | 13% | 4.9m/s | 92% |
| 06:00 | ✓ | 29% | 4.6m/s | 96% |
| 07:00 | ✓ | 37% | 4.2m/s | 100% |
| 08:00 | ✕ | 60% | 4.2m/s | 81% |
| 09:00 | ✕ | 50% | 4.9m/s | 62% |
| 10:00 | ✕ | 31% | 5.8m/s | 43% |
| 11:00 | ✕ | 32% | 6.4m/s | 47% |
| 12:00 | ✕ | 32% | 6.4m/s | 51% |
| 13:00 | ✕ | 15% | 6.7m/s | 56% |
| 14:00 | ✕ | 32% | 6.5m/s | 51% |
| 15:00 | ✕ | 34% | 6.4m/s | 45% |
| 16:00 | ✕ | 29% | 6.3m/s | 40% |
| 17:00 | ✓ | 72% | 5.6m/s | 45% |
| 18:00 | ✓ | 63% | 4.8m/s | 51% |
| 19:00 | ✕ | 45% | 4.1m/s | 56% |
| 20:00 | ✕ | 31% | 3.8m/s | 37% |
| 21:00 | ✕ | 16% | 3.5m/s | 19% |
| 22:00 | ✕ | 16% | 2.7m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | ✕ | 22% | 1.9m/s | 13% |
| Tue, Feb 24 | ||||
| 24:00 | ✕ | 34% | 1.5m/s | 26% |
| 01:00 | ✕ | 33% | 1.4m/s | 39% |
| 02:00 | ✕ | 22% | 1.4m/s | 26% |
| 03:00 | ✕ | 9.3% | 1.3m/s | 13% |
| 04:00 | ✕ | 9.3% | 1.4m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | ✕ | 21% | 1.2m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | ✓ | 50% | 1.1m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | ✓ | 50% | 0.87m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | ✕ | 47% | 0.89m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | ✕ | 34% | 1.4m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | ✕ | 23% | 1.5m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | ✕ | 23% | 1.5m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | ✕ | 12% | 1.6m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | ✕ | 12% | 1.7m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | ✕ | 12% | 1.9m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | ✕ | 23% | 2.3m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | ✕ | 25% | 2.7m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | ✓ | 50% | 2.3m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | ✓ | 67% | 1.9m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | ✕ | 34% | 1.7m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | ✕ | 25% | 2.3m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | ✕ | 28% | 3m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | ✕ | 17% | 3.6m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | ✕ | 29% | 3.6m/s | 0% |
| Wed, Feb 25 | ||||
| 24:00 | ✕ | 39% | 3.6m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | ✕ | 30% | 3.5m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | ✕ | 38% | 3.6m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | ✕ | 38% | 3.8m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | ✕ | 36% | 3.9m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | ✕ | 24% | 3.8m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | ✓ | 39% | 3.8m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | ✓ | 33% | 3.7m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | ✕ | 32% | 3.7m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | ✕ | 23% | 3.7m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | ✕ | 15% | 3.7m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | ✕ | 14% | 3.4m/s | 7.4% |
| 12:00 | ✕ | 12% | 3m/s | 15% |
What does Golden Clouds Potential mean?
Inputs that drive the scoreThis 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 | Golden Hour | High Clouds % | Low Clouds % | Mid-Level Clouds % | Total Cloud Coverage % | Visibility m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Feb 22
Sunrise 07:11
Sunset 18:21 | ||||||
| 14:00 | - | 0% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 18804m |
| 15:00 | - | 0% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 4784m |
| 16:00 | - | 0% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 14130m |
| 17:00 | - | 0% | 83% | 0% | 83% | 21850m |
| 18:00 | - | 0% | 93% | 0% | 93% | 19762m |
| 19:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 95% | 0% | 95% | 24135m |
| 20:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 90% | 0% | 90% | 21276m |
| 21:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 72% | 0% | 72% | 24135m |
| 22:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 77% | 0% | 77% | 24135m |
| 23:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 89% | 0% | 89% | 24134m |
| Mon, Feb 23
Sunrise 07:10
Sunset 18:22 | ||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 85% | 0% | 85% | 24135m |
| 01:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 89% | 0% | 89% | 24134m |
| 02:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 90% | 0% | 90% | 24135m |
| 03:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 93% | 0% | 93% | 24134m |
| 04:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 94% | 0% | 94% | 24135m |
| 05:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 87% | 0% | 87% | 24134m |
| 06:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 86% | 0% | 86% | 24134m |
| 07:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 80% | 0% | 80% | 24135m |
| 08:00 | - | 0% | 64% | 0% | 64% | 24134m |
| 09:00 | - | 0% | 43% | 0% | 43% | 24135m |
| 10:00 | - | 0% | 35% | 0% | 35% | 24135m |
| 11:00 | - | 0% | 54% | 0% | 54% | 24134m |
| 12:00 | - | 0% | 38% | 0% | 38% | 24134m |
| 13:00 | - | 0% | 13% | 0% | 13% | 24134m |
| 14:00 | - | 0% | 26% | 0% | 26% | 24135m |
| 15:00 | - | 0% | 43% | 0% | 43% | 24135m |
| 16:00 | - | 0% | 64% | 0% | 64% | 24135m |
| 17:00 | - | 0% | 40% | 0% | 40% | 24135m |
| 18:00 | - | 0% | 23% | 0% | 23% | 24134m |
| 19:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 30% | 0% | 30% | 24135m |
| 20:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 33% | 0% | 33% | 24134m |
| 21:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 15% | 0% | 15% | 24135m |
| 22:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 14% | 0% | 14% | 24135m |
| 23:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 20% | 0% | 20% | 24135m |
| Tue, Feb 24
Sunrise 07:08
Sunset 18:23 | ||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 29% | 0% | 29% | 24135m |
| 01:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 28% | 0% | 28% | 24135m |
| 02:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 18% | 0% | 18% | 24134m |
| 03:00 ☾ | - | 0% | 5% | 0% | 5% | 24134m |
| 04:00 ☾ | - | 2% | 5% | 2% | 5% | 24135m |
| 05:00 ☾ | - | 19% | 5% | 5% | 19% | 24135m |
| 06:00 ☾ | - | 100% | 5% | 22% | 100% | 24134m |
| 07:00 ☾ | - | 100% | 5% | 100% | 100% | 24135m |
| 08:00 | - | 100% | 2% | 100% | 100% | 24134m |
| 09:00 | - | 100% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 24135m |
| 10:00 | - | 100% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 24135m |
| 11:00 | - | 100% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 24134m |
| 12:00 | - | 1% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 24135m |
| 13:00 | - | 0% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 24135m |
| 14:00 | - | 0% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 24134m |
| 15:00 | - | 98% | 0% | 99% | 100% | 24134m |
| 16:00 | - | 86% | 0% | 34% | 86% | 24134m |
| 17:00 | - | 100% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 24134m |
| 18:00 | - | 40% | 0% | 77% | 77% | 24134m |
| 19:00 ☾ | - | 19% | 0% | 92% | 92% | 24135m |
| 20:00 ☾ | - | 39% | 0% | 66% | 87% | 24135m |
| 21:00 ☾ | - | 58% | 0% | 40% | 82% | 24135m |
| 22:00 ☾ | - | 77% | 0% | 14% | 77% | 24135m |
| 23:00 ☾ | - | 56% | 10% | 11% | 62% | 24135m |
| Wed, Feb 25
Sunrise 07:07
Sunset 18:24 | ||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | - | 34% | 19% | 8% | 46% | 24135m |
| 01:00 ☾ | - | 12% | 28% | 5% | 30% | 24135m |
| 02:00 ☾ | - | 27% | 29% | 4% | 40% | 24135m |
| 03:00 ☾ | - | 42% | 31% | 3% | 50% | 24135m |
| 04:00 ☾ | - | 56% | 32% | 3% | 60% | 24135m |
| 05:00 ☾ | - | 71% | 40% | 3% | 74% | 24135m |
| 06:00 ☾ | - | 85% | 47% | 4% | 87% | 24135m |
| 07:00 ☾ | - | 100% | 54% | 5% | 100% | 24135m |
| 08:00 | - | 100% | 57% | 5% | 100% | 24135m |
| 09:00 | - | 100% | 61% | 5% | 100% | 24135m |
| 10:00 | - | 100% | 65% | 5% | 100% | 24135m |
| 11:00 | - | 100% | 77% | 8% | 100% | 16351m |
| 12:00 | - | 100% | 88% | 12% | 100% | 8568m |
| 13:00 | - | 100% | 100% | 15% | 100% | 784m |
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