The development of orographically induced cirrus clouds in the lee of the southern Appalachian Mountain chain can result in areas of unanticipated cloudiness downstream of the higher terrain across the Carolinas and Virginia. Both the degree of cloudiness and its impact on surface temperatures can reduce forecast accuracy. The general environmental conditions favorable for orographic cirrus development are known and have been qualitatively documented but to this point have not been extensively quantified. This study attempts to quantify the conditions necessary for orographic cirrus development across the southern Appalachian Mountains. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite imagery and atmospheric soundings are evaluated in order to better understand the most important environmental conditions needed for an orographic cirrus event to occur as well as which scenarios may produce null events. Case studies will be presented illustrating classic orographic cirrus events and their impacts on local forecast variables. Finally, best practices for operational forecasting of orographic cirrus are proposed, and the role of highresolution models in the detection of orographic cirrus events is discussed.