Asheville, North Carolina is one of those places that experiences a true four seasons. You can expect snow during the winter, rainy but warm spring days, hot sunny afternoons come summer and brilliant autumns with changing leaves. Additionally, this part of the state sees almost no really extreme weather patterns and has actually been named by The Weather Channel as one of “America’s Safest Weather Cities” because of it.
Of course, just because you aren’t at all likely to experience extreme weather any time you visit Asheville, NC doesn’t mean that there aren’t preferred times to go to the city. Besides, there are some people who are sunny summer fans and others who prefer vacations in snowy ski weather. The following is a look at the average weather and temperatures of the city by month to help you determine the best time for you to plan your vacation to Asheville:
Asheville Weather and Average Temperatures by Month
January
January is the coldest month in Asheville with an average low of 27 degrees Fahrenheit and a high of just 44 degrees Fahrenheit. The city itself sees a couple of days of snowfall on average every year during this month, but that changes if you drive to the mountains just outside of town. Nearby mountain slopes can have temperatures 20 degrees colder than the city, making them prime spots for snow-based adventures while you can still stay and enjoy the chilly but not frighteningly cold temperatures in Asheville proper.
February
Things are still a bit frosty come February in Asheville, NC. During this month, the average low is 31 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high is 49 degrees Fahrenheit. The pattern of snowfall is likewise the same, with two to three days of snowfall.
March
March is the true start of spring in the city, but that doesn’t mean snowfall is completely off the table. In any given year, you might see a day or two of snowfall in March, but it will almost always be towards the start of the month as the weather begins to gradually warm up throughout. The average low temperature is 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high a much milder 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
April
April is a very popular time to visit Asheville, especially by those coming from the Northeast and Midwest. That’s because while those other states are still in the slushy throes of end-of-winter weather during April, this is when Asheville really starts to bloom. This month has a very comfortable average high of 65 degrees Fahrenheit and a more moderate average low of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This is light hoodie and jeans temperatures, the ideal for going out and about town. Just note that you will want to bring an umbrella as April is a rainier month for the city with an average of 13 to 14 days of rain.
May
Another beautiful spring month for Asheville, the average low is about 52 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high is a wonderfully warm 73 degrees Fahrenheit. This month does experience more rainfall, however, with an average of 17 days of rain that bring about upwards of 3.15″ of precipitation. The higher temperatures combined with the high likelihood of rain makes this the most humid month of the year, averaging a relative humidity of 78%.
June
June is the official start of summer for Asheville with an average low temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit and an average high of 81 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the month when visitors start to seek out more of the water-related adventures about the city, such as tubing one of the nearby rivers. June is also the month with the longest days, averaging an outstanding 14.5 hours of daylight. That means more time to be out in the sunshine and enjoying the beauty of the city and surrounding landscapes.
July
July in Asheville, NC is very similar weather-wise to June, with the temperature averages being just a few degrees different. The average low during this month is 62 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high is 84 degrees Fahrenheit. These few degrees differences does, however, make July the hottest month for the city. Additionally, the average maximum UV index reading for July is 6, which can pose a high health hazard. So when visiting during this month (as well as the border months of June and August), make sure to always wear sunscreen and bring water to reduce sun and heat-related health risks.
August
Things start to cool down in August, but only just. The average low during this month is 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high is 82 degrees Fahrenheit — making it very similar to June’s temperature averages. While the first half of August tends to have its rainy days, this will start to slow by the end of the month as Asheville enters its drier season.
September
September is the start of fall for Asheville as temperatures start to more significantly fall. The average low during this month is 56 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The days start becoming more noticeably short and, towards the end of the month, you will start to see the big foliage changes that draw so many people to this part of the country com fall.
October
Early October tends to be the best time to visit Asheville, NC if you are going to see the changing fall leaves as it is the most reliable time to see shifting colors throughout the region. It also boasts very pleasant temperatures and is the driest month of the year with minimal rainfall with just 9.7 days of rainfall. The average low during this month is 46 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high a comfortable 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
November
November is another fantastic month in Asheville for fall colors, at least during its first week or two. The weather does drop pretty quickly during this month, with an average low of 37 degrees Fahrenheit and an average high around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, this is the month of the time change, which means your evenings will end more quickly for outdoor adventures. So be sure to pack some good cold-weather gear!
December
Officially the first month of winter for Asheville, December is downright chilly with an average low of 33 degrees of Fahrenheit and an average high of just 48 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of 33 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also expect to see a couple of snowy days this month, generally in the last week or two.
Learn More About Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC is a gorgeous place to visit just about any time of the year. But what time is best for you will depend upon your favorite activities and what you love most about the city. Learn more about the city and what it has to offer on our website.
