Swing Time For Temps

"When you get the chance, slow down when you take a hike." When I see a friend's advice in print it's really kind of funny. Because like most people, I feel like I'm always in high gear. And when I do get a chance to take a walk in the woods, I find myself heading out on the trail like I have to cover the whole thing before the clock runs out. Then I realize there's no rush, and I see things I would have missed. The small stuff. Like the picture above of some pine seedlings sprouting up from the middle of a rotting log. There's no rush here in the wilderness. While we say time flys, in nature it slowly marches on. Think of how long this log has been decomposing to the point where it's a fertile plot for these new trees to take root. Will they be covered in leaves this Fall and die out by Spring? Or will the right amount of moisture and sunlight hit this patch of forest floor, so one day a tall pine shades the way for a future hiker?

Our weather this weekend will be perfect for pondering such small things while enjoying a hike. Abundant sunshine today will help move readings back into the upper 60s to low 70s this afternoon. Chilly tomorrow morning. In Chattanooga we'll drop into the low to mid 40s, but there could be some patchy frost away from the city Saturday morning. This morning some spots were in the upper 30s, and tomorrow morning there could be a few mid 30s. We'll get back into the mid 70s Saturday afternoon. Another front sweeps through late Saturday night, and we could see a few light showers or sprinkles with this but that's about it. Then look for a big warm-up next week with highs back into the mid 80s by Tuesday and Wednesday.

Today: Mostly sunny and cool. High: 69

Tonight: Fair and chilly. Low: 44

Saturday: Partly cloudy and pleasant. High: 76

Saturday night: A few light showers possible. Low: 54

Sunday: Partly cloudy and mild. High: 79

Monday: Mostly sunny. High: 83

Tuesday: Sunny. High: 85