All the details on Asheville’s Weather and Four Seasons
Asheville has four unique seasons, none of which are really extreme. Though you’ll have the occasional really hot and humid day in the summer and an absolutely freezing day in the winter, the weather in Asheville is pretty mild year-round compared to other places.
If you are visiting, enjoy our pleasant weather!
When it’s mild out, stroll downtown with a latte in hand, hop on a trail for an early morning hike or sit back at one of our many great breweries and enjoy a drink. If it’s cooler and you want to be indoors, head to Omni Grove Park Inn and settle in by one of their mega fireplaces. Or you grab the best pho in Asheville at Wild Ginger.
No matter the season, there is always something to do in Asheville. See below for a detailed description of each season to help you plan your next trip.
Asheville’s Climate
- Warmest month: July — average high is 85°F (29°C) and the average low is 65°F (18°C)
- Coolest month: January– average high is 47°F (8°C) and the average low is 28°F (-2°C)
Summer Weather In Asheville
As far as summers in the south go, the area remains pretty cool with the high temperatures in the peak of summer averaging 85 degrees. We always marvel that we can eat outdoors in August. It’s unheard of in the south!
Of course, there are humid days, but it doesn’t seem as intense as other places we have been. We also have our fair share of cool mornings in the summer, which is as dreamy as it sounds.
Summers can average a lot of rain. Especially in surrounding areas like Brevard, NC. It’s like a rainforest! But what’s great about the area is that you can head up the mountains to cool off. We especially love the Black Balsam Knob hike for this because it gets you into the clouds. It’s significantly cooler up there and perfect for a hot day!
Hurricanes in Asheville
Asheville occasionally receives inclement weather from hurricanes in late summer and early fall.
The Biltmore Village area was flooded in 2004 after Hurricanes Frances and Ivan came through. Most recently, Hurricane Fred had a significant impact in certain places (including areas of Pisgah National Forest and the French Broad River) in September 2021.
Winter Weather In Asheville
Winters in Asheville offer the perfect amount of snow while remaining a novelty. You’ll find more snow up in the mountains at higher elevations and typically experience a few snow days in the city.
The average high temperature in Asheville during the winter is right around 50 degrees, with the lowest average temperature occurring in January around 28 degrees.
It gets cold in the winter compared to other southern cities, but doesn’t get as cold or get as much snow as other nearby mountain towns that are higher up.
One thing to note about winter compared to other seasons is that you’ll miss out on some of the beauty. There is just something extra special about the flowers in bloom in spring, the lush green trees of summer and the changing colors of fall. Because of this, we think winter is the least ideal time to visit Asheville. You can still enjoy the food, the shops and the culture, but the Blue Ridge Parkway is typically closed and the views are kind of sad and grey.
Snow in Asheville
Though we get a few snow days in Asheville, it’s more common for it to not snow. We didn’t get any snow the winter of 2022/2023, and only a few snow days the year before.
Like any southern city, snow days in Asheville typically bring the city to a halt until the roads are cleared. And there are always the people stocking up on milk, bread, eggs….
Spring Weather In Asheville
Spring is mild, with temperatures averaging a high of 70 in April and 76 in May, and lows of 44 and 53, respectively. Pollen can be pretty intense, but the beautiful flowers and trees around are worth it. Just make sure to bring Claritin!
It’s always worth it to catch Craggy Gardens in late spring when the rhododendrons are showing off. And the arboretum is also always gorgeous in the spring.
One of my favorite times of year is mid-May because the days are absolutely perfect. The mornings are cooler and the flowers are in bloom! This is the time of year our peonies are in bloom– without fail it happens the week of May 10th. Perfect timing for Mother’s Day!
Fall Weather In Asheville
So we have sung the praises of summer, winter and spring in Asheville, now we’ll tell you about Asheville’s fall weather.
Fall is definitely our favorite season in Asheville because of the crisp, cool weather and the beautiful changing foliage. And judging by the influx of visitors every October, fall in Asheville is everyone’s favorite!
The average temperature in October is a low of 46 and a high of 70. In November the days are a bit cooler, with a low around 26 and a high around 60.
Leaf Season in Asheville
The timing of leaf season in Asheville is based on weather and rain, so it’s tough to pinpoint an exact week to visit.
If you are planning a trip to Asheville in the fall, mid-October is a pretty safe bet to catch some color. Leaves start turning colors at higher altitudes first, so if you come in October you can generally find a great view somewhere.
Asheville Weather: Average Temperatures and Rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| High | 47°F | 50°F | 59°F | 67°F | 74°F | 80°F | 82°F | 81°F | 76°F | 67°F | 58°F | 50°F |
| Temp. | 36°F | 39°F | 47°F | 55°F | 63°F | 70°F | 73°F | 72°F | 66°F | 55°F | 46°F | 39°F |
| Low | 29°F | 31°F | 38°F | 45°F | 53°F | 61°F | 64°F | 63°F | 57°F | 46°F | 37°F | 32°F |
| Rain (in) | 4.06 | 3.83 | 4.59 | 3.50 | 4.41 | 4.38i | 3.87 | 4.30i | 3.72 | 3.17 | 3.82 | 3.39 |
