Photo credit: Evan Kafka

Life in Western North Carolina offers up a refreshing range of weather experiences. Asheville, at an elevation of just above 2,000 feet, boasts an overall mild year-round climate – not too cold in the winter, not too hot in the summer – but traveling just a short distance outside of the city can reveal a greater fluctuation in temperature and precipitation.

Because the area boasts a full four seasons, weather-dependent activities thrive here. It’s easy to enjoy fall foliage, winter skiing, and spring and summer hiking and swimming thanks to the region’s seasonal changes.

Higher Elevations in Western North Carolina, Greater Differences

While the city is quite temperate – Asheville sits in a relatively dry and protected spot along the French Broad River Valley – traveling higher into the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains promises greater weather variations. It’s not uncommon to encounter sudden clouds and fog, snow on the ground, a rain shower, or a 20-degree temperature drop in a single drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s windier in the higher elevations, and nighttime temperatures can still dip into the 30s during springtime.

While Asheville experiences the seasons to the fullest, weather extremes rarely occur. When they do, they’re not sustained. Snowfalls in the city are sporadic, and the snow melts quickly, with an average annual accumulation of 10 inches. Higher elevations, however, see heavier snowfalls, along with icing that can close roads for extended periods. The cold season in Asheville is from late November to late February, with an average daily high in the mid-50s. During the coldest point of the year, night temperatures can dip into single digits, but generally, they hover in the 30s.

The warm season in Asheville lasts from late May to mid-September, and even though temperatures can hit the upper 80s to 90s during the hottest periods, the average daily high is 76 degrees. While summers can be humid in town, higher elevations offer cooler forests, streams and waterfalls for respite.

A Range of Rainfall Amounts Around Asheville

Rainfall varies widely across the region: Asheville gets an average of 44 inches of rain per year, but surrounding areas like Brevard and its forests can get around 67 inches. Spring, which begins relatively early in Western North Carolina, is usually the wettest season of the year. Tropical systems can affect the region in late summer and early fall, resulting in heavy rainfall and forceful winds.

The driest time of year in Western North Carolina is autumn. Cooler temperatures (60s to low 70s) and crisper, clearer air create the perfect conditions for producing brilliant, sustained fall foliage. The best colors come forth from late September at the higher elevations to late October and early November in the valleys.

Eager to experience Asheville’s climate year-round? Please contact Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com or call him anytime at (828) 337-8190 to learn about available real estate options in Asheville and the surrounding areas.

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