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
- Average High: 44°
- Average Low: 27°
January is the coldest month in Asheville. 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
- Average High: 49°
- Average Low: 31°
Things are still a bit frosty come February in Asheville, NC. The pattern of snowfall is likewise the same, with two to three days of snowfall.
March
- Average High: 55°
- Average Low; 37°
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.
April
- Average High: 65°
- Average Low: 45°
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 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
- Average High: 73°
- Average Low: 52°
Another beautiful spring month for Asheville, this month does experience more rainfall 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
- Average High: 81°
- Average Low 58°
June is the official start of summer for Asheville. 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
- Average High: 84°
- Average Low: 62°
July in Asheville, NC is very similar weather-wise to June, with the temperature averages being just a few degrees different. 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
- Average High: 82°
- Average Low: 60°
Things start to cool down in August, but only just. It’s 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
- Average High: 77°
- Average Low: 56°
September is the start of fall for Asheville as temperatures start to more significantly fall. 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
- Average High: 67°
- Average Low: 46°
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.
November
- Average High: 55°
- Average Low: 37°
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. 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
- Average High: 48°
- Average Low: 33°
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.
