Asheville Weather

Asheville's Temperate Weather Surprises Many Visitors

The region experiences four distinct seasons, but the average annual snowfall is never more than 16.2" and the hottest day rarely exceeds 80°F. The warmest month of the year is July, while winter hits its peak in January. In August, 2012, The Weather Channel named Asheville one of "America's Safest Weather Cities."

What to Expect in Winter in Asheville

Asheville is blessed with a unique winter weather combination: nearby ski resorts get most of the snow, while downtown remains sheltered from the worst winter temperatures. Asheville native Thomas Wolfe compared being in Asheville to sitting inside the rim of a cup - and that unique feature often protects the city from inclement weather in nearby mountains. While Mt. Pisgah, just 25 miles away, may be inundated by snow, Asheville may only get a rain shower, since the temperature and elevation difference is enough to keep the city above freezing.

Snowfalls in Asheville are usually fleeting, but spectacular. On average, Asheville gets 4.6, 4.4, and 3.0 inches of snow per month during January, February and March. That's a little more than Charlotte's 2.0 inches in January, but nowhere near the 8.6 inches in New York City's Central Park in February, or even the 7.1 inches at Washington, DC's Dulles Airport each January. Snowfall is greater in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, home to several ski slopes and snowtubing parks.

Asheville's average temperature during winter is high enough to get in a round or two of golf, experience the real Cold Mountain, or explore downtown Asheville's unique locally-owned shops. Also, with value-priced packages, a getaway is affordable.

It's easy getting around Asheville and to the area's many attractions during winter. Asheville has its own regional airport and is linked by major highways, including the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway.

Request your free Asheville Travel Guide today so you can plan your winter vacation in Asheville!