When is best to visit Asheville? (Weather Month by Month)
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When is the best time of year to visit Asheville?
Asheville is a small mountain town (population 91.5K) nestled in a valley amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. It has a mild climate and is a beautiful place to visit year round. It is easy to access by car (Interstate 40 or Interstate 26) and has a small regional airport (AVL). Asheville is a popular place for hiking & outdoor adventures, health/wellness activities, weddings, couples, bachelor and bachelorette parties.
When is the best month to visit Asheville?
Tourism and travel costs are lowest during the colder months of December, January and February (with the exception of the Christmas/New Year Holidays.) Shoulder seasons are March and November. The most popular months to visit are April, May, June, July, August and September with tourism and travel costs at their highest in October.
Skip to a specific month to learn more and plan your trip:
January (COLD) • February (COLD) • March (COOL) • April (COOL) • May (WARM) • June (WARM) • July (HOT) • August (HOT) • September (WARM) • October (COOL) • November (COOL) • December (COLD)
Skip to more info about these common questions:
What is the weather like in Asheville?
Does Asheville NC have good weather?
Is it always rainy in Asheville?
Is Asheville a temperate rainforest?
Asheville Spring Weather
Asheville Summer Weather
Best time to visit Asheville in the Fall (Foliage)
What are winters like in Asheville NC?
What is the coldest month in Asheville NC?
What to pack/wear October - April
What to pack/wear May - September
What is the weather like in Asheville?
The answer to that question varies wildly depending on when you visit. I grew up an hour away from here and have owned & operated an outdoor business called Namaste in Nature here since 2017 so I’ve experienced all the weather this area has to offer.
Keep in mind temperatures tend to be 10º-20º cooler at higher altitudes in the mountains vs in town in Asheville. The altitude variations throughout the mountains also tend to create “microclimates” which means that the weather forecast tends to shift frequently and unexpectedly.
For example, you may go to bed expecting rain, but when you wake up in the morning, it doesn’t rain. It may be raining in town, but not in the mountains just a few miles away. In the winter, it snows more in the mountains than it does in town.
Namaste in Nature Private Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
Does Asheville NC have good weather?
Yes! We have four mild seasons and experience very little extreme weather like blizzards, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. There are occasional heavy rains or storms which can cause flash floods and mudslides or rockslides.
Is it always rainy in Asheville?
Asheville is slightly rainier than the average US city (38”) receiving 44” of rain per year. On average, Asheville gets 118 days of precipitation (defined as at least .01” of rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground) per year.
In other words, there is an average of 32% chance (about 1 in 3) that you will encounter precipitation during any day. Rain is most likely to occur in May, June, July, August, is about average in February, March, April, September and least likely to occur in October, November, December and January.
Is Asheville a temperate rainforest?
Mountains at higher elevations surrounding Asheville are part of the Southern Appalachian spruce–fir forest. This is a temperate rainforest and receives an average of 60” of precipitation per year. Temperate rain forests are wet, but not as wet as tropical rain forests.
🌼 Asheville Spring Weather
This time of year, the weather bounces around between cold, cool, wet and warm. Everyone is excited to get back outdoors after being inside more during Winter. March - May is a great time to see wildflowers, especially rare species like Trillium.
☀️ Asheville Summer Weather
June, July and August are the warmest but also the wettest months to be in Asheville, NC.
⛈️ Thunderstorms can happen at any time but are most likely to occur in/around Asheville during the Summer. However, most of these storms tend to pass through quickly (usually lasting less than an hour) in the early afternoons between 1 PM and 5 PM.
We also might get extra rain from tropical storms during the Atlantic hurricane season; most likely in August or September and possibly October.
🍁 Best time to visit Asheville in the Fall (Foliage)
Many people come here to see the leaves change color in the mountains in Autumn. The exact time the leaves change depends on temperature, rainfall and elevation. Leaf color changes at higher elevations can start as early as the end of September and color changes at lower elevations can last as late as November.
October is typically the most colorful month and therefore the most popular time to visit Asheville, North Carolina.
❄️ What are winters like in Asheville NC?
Does Asheville get snow? Yes. Asheville gets about 10” of snow per year which is less than the US average of 28” per year. We mostly get flurries that don’t stick but 1 or 2 bigger snows tend to happen each month in December, January and February.
Especially in the mountains and at higher elevations, snow can start as early as October and last as late as May. We also sometimes get sleet but the biggest winter weather hazard is black ice on the roads.
What is the coldest month in Asheville NC?
January is typically the coldest month with an average temperature high of 47ºF (8ºC) and low of 31ºF (-2ºC). Average Snowfall is 4 in. (10 cm) and average precipitation: 2.87 in. (73mm).
What to pack/wear October - April: (2-3 layers)
• Base layer of wool or synthetic top & leggings, thin socks
• Mid layer of long sleeved top/hoodie and pants/leggings plus warm gloves, warmer socks, warm gloves
• Outer Layer: Closed toe shoes or hiking boots (preferably waterproof or water-resistant), scarf and winter hat or ear covering, insulated/water-resistant mittens, warm/insulated winter jacket + pants (preferably waterproof or water-resistant)
☔ Always pack rain gear when planning a trip to Asheville and/or Western North Carolina.
Bring a small bag or backpack for phone, keys, water and to store layers that you might take off/put on.
What to pack/wear October - April: (2-3 layers) Asheville NC
What to pack/wear May - September: (1-2 layers)
• Base layer: Synthetic top, t-shirt or tank top, comfortable synthetic leggings, shorts or pants, lightweight hoodie, socks
• Hiking boots, walking shoes or outdoor sandals, light rain gear including a rain jacket, rain pants, umbrella or poncho, hat for sun protection.
• If you don’t have rain gear, bring a towel and an extra change of dry clothes to change into.
Notes: I recommend a lightweight long sleeves top and pants during the warmer months for extra sun and bug protection.
☔ Always pack rain gear when planning a trip to Asheville and/or Western North Carolina.
Bring a small bag or backpack for phone, keys, water and to store layers that you might take off/put on.
What to pack/wear May - September: (1-2 layers) Asheville NC
Here are the average monthly temperatures and weather broken down a bit more by month. We also threw in a few tips on outdoor things to do and see each month in Asheville, NC.
January
Asheville, North Carolina January Weather = COLD
Average Temperature: High 47ºF (8ºC) • Low 31ºF (-2ºC)
❄️ Snow: Likely • Average Snowfall: 4 in. (10 cm)
☔ Rain: Possible • Average Precipitation: 2.87 in. (73mm)
Asheville Tourism in January = Low
Things to do in Asheville in January:
Winter Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
❄️ 💦 Frozen Waterfalls
Things to do in Asheville in January: Winter Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
February
Asheville, North Carolina February Weather = COLD
Average Temperature: High 50ºF (10.2ºC) • Low 28ºF (-0.6ºC)
❄️ Snow: Probable • Average Snowfall: 3 in. (7.6 cm)
☔ Rain: Probable • Average Precipitation: 3.23 in. (82 mm)
Asheville Tourism in February = Low
Things to do in Asheville in February:
Winter Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
❄️ 💦 Frozen Waterfalls
Things to do in Asheville NC in February: Winter Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
March
Asheville, North Carolina March Weather = COOL
Average Temperature: High 58ºF (14.4ºC) • Low 37ºF (2.9ºC)
☔ Rain: Probable • Average Precipitation: 3.35 in. (85 mm)
❄️ Snow: Possible • Average Snowfall: 2 in. (5.1 cm)
Tourism = Moderate
Things to do in Asheville in March:
Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
💦 Waterfalls
Things to do in Asheville NC in March: Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
April
Asheville, North Carolina April Weather = COOL
Average Temperature: High 67ºF (19.7ºC) • Low 45ºF (7.3ºC)
☔ Rain: Possible • Average Precipitation: 3.03 in. (77 mm)
❄️ Snow: Possible • Average Snowfall: 1 in. (2.5 cm)
Asheville Tourism in April = Moderate
Things to do in Asheville in April:
Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
Morning Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Sunset Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Full Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
💦 Waterfalls
⛰️ Mountain Views
🌄 Sunset
🌕 Full Moon
🌼 Wildflowers (especially Trillium)
🦋 Butterflies
Things to do in Asheville NC in April: Sunset/Full Moon Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour Experiece (Image by Reggie Tidwell of Curve Theory)
May
Asheville, North Carolina May Weather = WARM
Average Temperature: High 75ºF (23.9ºC) • Low 52ºF (11.7ºC)
☔ Rain: Likely • Average Precipitation: 3.27 in. (83 mm)
❄️ Snow: Unlikely • Average Snowfall: ≤0 in. (0 cm)
Asheville Tourism in May = High
Things to do in Asheville in May:
Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
Morning Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Sunset Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Full Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
💦 Waterfalls
⛰️ Mountain Views
🌄 Sunset
🌕 Full Moon
🌼 Wildflowers (especially Rhododendron)
🦋 Butterflies
✨ Fireflies
Things to do in Asheville, NC in May: Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
June
Asheville, North Carolina June Weather = WARM
Average Temperature: High 82ºF (27.6ºC) • Low 61ºF (16.1ºC)
☔ Rain: Likely • Average Precipitation: 3.39 in. (86 mm)
Asheville Tourism in June = High
Things to do in Asheville in June:
Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
Morning Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Sunset Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Full Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
💦 Waterfalls
⛰️ Mountain Views
🌄 Sunset
🌕 Full Moon
🌼 Wildflowers (especially Rhododendron)
✨ Fireflies
Things to do in Asheville NC in June: Private Birthday/Bachelorette Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
July
Asheville, North Carolina July Weather = HOT
Average Temperature: High 85ºF (29.3ºC) • Low 65ºF (18.1ºC)
⛰️ Temperatures can be 10º - 20º cooler in the mountains than in town especially early morning and late evening.
☔ Rain: Likely • Average Precipitation: 3.35 in. (85 mm)
🌩️ Thunderstorms likely in early afternoon but usually pass through quickly
Things to do in Asheville in July:
Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
Morning Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Sunset Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Full Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
💦 Waterfalls
⛰️ Mountain Views
🌄 Sunset
🌕 Full Moon
🌼 Wildflowers (especially Rhododendron)
✨ Fireflies
Things to do in Asheville NC in July: Beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
August
Asheville, North Carolina August Weather = HOT
Average Temperature: High 84ºF (28.7ºC) • Low 64ºF (17.7ºC)
☔ Rain: Likely • Average Precipitation: 3.43 in. (87 mm)
🌩️ Thunderstorms likely in early afternoon but usually pass through quickly
Asheville Tourism in September = Moderate
Things to do in Asheville in August:
Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
Morning Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Sunset Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Full Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
💦 Waterfalls
⛰️ Mountain Views
🌄 Sunset
🌕 Full Moon
🌼 Wildflowers (especially Sunflowers)
Things to do in Asheville in August: Private Mountain Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
September
Asheville, North Carolina September Weather = WARM
Average Temperature: High 77ºF (25.1ºC) • Low 57ºF (13.8ºC)
☔ Rain: Possible • Average Precipitation: 3.23 in. (82 mm)
Asheville Tourism in September = High
Things to do in Asheville in September:
Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
Morning Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Sunset Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Full Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
💦 Waterfalls
⛰️ Mountain views
🍁 Leaves
🌼 Wildflowers
🦋 Butterflies (Monarch Butterfly Migration)
Things to do in Asheville NC in September: Bachelorette Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
October
Asheville, North Carolina October Weather = COOL
Average Temperature: High 68ºF (19.9ºC) • Low 46ºF (7.9ºC)
☔ Rain: Unlikely (but possible) • Average Precipitation: 2.13 in. (54 mm)
❄️ Snow: Unlikely (but possible) • Average Snowfall: ≤0 in. (0 cm)
Asheville Tourism in October = Very High
Things to do in Asheville in October:
Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
Morning Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Sunset Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
Full Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
💦 Waterfalls
⛰️ Mountain views
🍁 Leaves
🦋 Butterflies (Monarch Butterfly Migration)
Things to do in Asheville NC in October: Mountain Sunset Vortex Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
November
Asheville, North Carolina November Weather = COOL
Average Temperature: High 58ºF (14.7ºC) • Low 38ºF (3.1ºC)
☔ Rain: Unlikely (but possible) • Average Precipitation: 2.91 in. (74 mm)
❄️ Snow: Unlikely (but possible) • Average Snowfall: ≤0 in. (0 cm)
Asheville Tourism in November = Moderate
Things to do in Asheville in November:
Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
💦 Waterfalls
Things to do in Asheville NC in November: Relaxing Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
December
Asheville, North Carolina December Weather = COLD
Average Temperature: High 49ºF (9.4ºC) • Low 30ºF (-0.9ºC)
☔ Rain: Unlikely (but possible) • Average Precipitation: 2.76 in. (70 mm)
❄️ Snow: Likely • Average Snowfall: 3 in. (7.6 cm)
Asheville December Tourism = Low (Except Christmas/New Year Holidays)
Things to do in Asheville in December:
Winter Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour
25 Best Hikes & Waterfalls near Asheville
Best time to see:
❄️ 💦 Frozen Waterfalls
Things to do in Asheville NC in December: Winter Waterfall Yoga Hiking Tour Experience
Now that you can make a more informed decision about when to visit Asheville, check out some of our other posts for things to do while you’re here!
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