Asheville, North Carolina is one of those unique 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. We don’t experience extreme weather patterns, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for those higher elevation hikes, the afternoon downpours in the city, or the hot summer days that end with a brisk breeze. Below you will find our “what to wear guide” that may help when planning your Asheville adventure whether it’s Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall.
HOW TO DRESS IN THE WINTER MONTHS
DECEMBER
Officially the first month of winter for Asheville, December is downright chilly with an average low of 33°F. Bring those winter jackets, gloves and toboggans to bundle up. Especially when walking through Downtown Asheville, that wind can be frigid.
JANUARY
January is the coldest month in Asheville with an average high of 44°F. Western North Carolina can see a couple days of snowfall every year during January and the higher mountain elevation temperatures can be 20°F colder than in the city. We highly recommend laying and wearing your warmest winter jacket, gloves, toboggan, winter boots and scarf.
FEBUARY
Come February, things are still a bit frosty so keep those winter clothes out! And if your planning a hike of any kind up in the mountains, bring extra jackets, gloves and even a blanket if possible. Mountain hikes are still beautiful in the winter but be mindful and stay prepared as the mountains are even colder than the city.
SUGGESTIONS TO DRESS FOR SPRING
MARCH
March is the true start of spring in the city with temperatures starting to rise to a mild 55°F, however that doesn’t mean freezing temperatures are completely off the table. Keep your winter jacket on standby. Throughout the day, as long as the weather is sunny, you could get by with a standard jacket or sweatshirt and jeans.
APRIL
April is a very popular time for visitors in Asheville. Everything is starting to bloom, and the weather gets up to a comfortable 60-65°F – the ideal temperature for going out and about town. You can certainly break out your comfortable leggings and light sweatshirts without the fear of freezing, but we definitely recommend bringing an umbrella as afternoon showers in April can sneak up on you. Make sure to carry a light jacket (with a hood) and umbrella for anything outdoors.
MAY
May really warms up to being a beautiful spring month with wonderfully warm temps of 73°F! Leggings and a T-shirt, even shorts on a sunny day, would be best for this humid weather. If you’re headed out on a hike, bring a light sweatshirt as the mountains can get chilly. Keep your umbrella handy, sometimes the warmer days bring afternoon May showers.
HOW TO WEAR SUMMER?
JUNE
June is the official start of summer for Asheville with an average high of 81°F. With the temperatures rising, visitors start to seek out more of our water-related adventures, such as tubing nearby rivers or hiking up to swim near one of our beautiful waterfalls. You will definitly want to be in your shorts, tank tops and flip flops during this month and make sure you apply and reapply plenty of sunscreen. Keep sunglasses handy and maybe even a sun hat to prevent sunburn.
JULY
July is our hottest month, averaging temperatures closer to the 90’s. Pack cool and light loose-fitting clothes, such as sundresses and shorts. Be sure to have sunscreen and water on standby throughout the day, especially when planning an outdoor adventure.
AUGUST
August tends to get a little cooler, but only just slightly. We still maintain temperatures in the 80’s most of the month with evenings often presenting light showers or even a breeze.Keep a light sweater or caridgan on hand for when the sun goes down, just in case.
COZY TO BE FALL!
SEPTEMBER
September is the start of fall for Asheville as temperatures start to significantly drop staying between about 56-77°F. Days start to become noticeably shorter and the air gets crisper and cooler during the evenings when the sun goes down. If you’re visiting during this month, pack your jeans, leggings, T-shirts and cardigans. During the day you can still get away with short sleeves but come afternoon, you’ll want a sweater to combat the breeze off.
OCTOBER
October tends to be the best time for tourists! The temperature is comfortable at around 67°F, and you will start to see the big foliage change that draws in so many. We recommend weating something warm like jeans, sweaters, and cardigans, and packing a sweatshirt or jacket. Some days can feel quite chilly, especially if you’re hiking up to see all the leaves changing.
NOVEMBER
November temperatures can be between 37°F to about 55°F so pack for cold, warm and freezing! That sounds crazy but day-to-day in November the weather can change drastically. This month, you’ll likely need a light weather, sweatshirt and winter jacket, plus flats and boots. With the time change, days get shorter, making less time for outdoor adventures but you can still catch some of the leaf season in the first week of November!
