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 90°F.

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 90°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!

Best Spring Hikes in Asheville, N.C.

by Jason Tarr

As the mountains green up with the coming of spring, the new season also brings a burst of color to the trails in and around Asheville. Hundreds of types of wildflowers line the paths that lead to stunning vistas and thundering waterfalls. These … read more
Best Gardens to Visit in Asheville

by Nan Chase

Asheville is a Garden-Lovers Paradise Asheville, North Carolina's scenic natural landscape is a mecca for all things green, with its favorable climate and diverse citizens instilled with a passion and respect for the land. From elegant grand … read more
8 Great Asheville Tours for Spring

by Cat Kessler

Get out and move, learn, sample and laugh For first-time visitors, or for seasoned travelers looking to dive a bit deeper, city tours can be a great way to get to know Asheville. And like everything else, many of Asheville's city tours are just … read more
Top 8 Sunset Spots in Asheville, N.C.

by Del Holston

The Best Places to Catch a Scenic Sunset The Blue Ridge Mountains offer some of the best vantage points to watch the sun drop below the peaks in a splash of color. People travel from all over the world to see the nightly show. We asked our social … read more
7 Great Places to View Wildflowers in Asheville

by Mark File

See why our mountains create the biggest bouquet of flowers you may ever find. The lush forests and temperate weather of Asheville's mountains create a mind-boggling kaleidoscope of flowering plants. And many of them cannot be found anywhere … read more
A Sense of Place: Frederick Law Olmsted’s Legendary Landscapes

by Janet Moore

See Designer’s Vision Blossom in Asheville He designed New York’s Central Park and Prospect Park; the city of Pinehurst, North Carolina, the landscape surrounding the U.S. Capitol. He pioneered not only landscape architecture but also … read more