Shenandoah’s Big Meadows area is forecast to reach 65°F Thursday, November 5, with scattered afternoon showers and southwest gusts up to 26 mph. Patchy fog is expected after midnight, while the park’s late-season camping map has already narrowed to fewer choices.
Photo: NPS / L. Ellis. Public domain. Original photograph and rights information.
Use the mountain forecast, not the valley observation
The National Weather Service forecast point linked by the park for Big Meadows sits at about 3,497 feet. Its November 5 update places the chance of rain at 30 percent Thursday, mainly after 2 p.m. EST, then 20 percent early Thursday night. The overnight low is near 54°F, with fog developing after midnight.
Friday’s high drops to about 60°F. Saturday is forecast to be sunny but cooler, near 51°F, with gusts up to 28 mph. Check the Big Meadows point forecast, updated at 7:31 a.m. EST November 5, before committing to a mountain drive.
The weather page also displays observations from New Market Airport at a much lower elevation. Those readings are not the temperature at the campsite. The park’s weather guidance notes that the mountain is usually about 10°F cooler than the valley and that conditions vary along the park.
Two campground closing dates have already passed
In the park’s operating calendar, updated November 2, Mathews Arm and Loft Mountain campgrounds closed for the season November 1. Big Meadows Campground is listed through November 29 and requires reservations for every site. Lewis Mountain is scheduled through November 22 on a first-come, first-served basis.
These dates are subject to change, and an operating season does not guarantee an available or suitable RV space. Check the current facility calendar and Big Meadows reservation information before leaving a lower-elevation overnight stop.
Leave room to change the day’s plan
For an RV visit, the practical combination is wind during the day, possible reduced visibility overnight and fewer campground alternatives. Secure loose outdoor gear, allow flexibility in the drive, and check the park’s current road notices before setting out. Skyline Drive can close during inclement weather, so neither the forecast nor a camping reservation confirms that the entire road is open.
Choose the overnight site first, then plan overlooks and walks around the conditions at that elevation. A clear valley view is not a reliable guide to what awaits on the ridge.