Updated October 2026
Appalachian National Scenic Trail Weather by Month
Appalachian National Scenic Trail is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 84°F and a low of 64°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 37°F and an average low of 22°F. July is the wettest month, with about 4.9 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in February, at about 7.8 inches.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 5.3 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Appalachian National Scenic Trail can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
84°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
22°F avg low
Wettest month
Jul
4.9 in avg
Snowiest month
Feb
7.8 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.9 h of daylight
Average weather at Appalachian by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F | 22°F | 3.1 in | 6.8 in | 9.4 h |
| February | 40°F | 23°F | 2.6 in | 7.8 in | 10.5 h |
| March | 49°F | 31°F | 3.6 in | 4.2 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 62°F | 40°F | 3.7 in | 0.4 in | 13.1 h |
| May | 72°F | 51°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in | 14.2 h |
| June | 80°F | 60°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in | 14.9 h |
| July | 84°F | 64°F | 4.9 in | 0.0 in | 14.6 h |
| August | 82°F | 63°F | 4.6 in | 0.0 in | 13.6 h |
| September | 76°F | 55°F | 4.6 in | 0.0 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 64°F | 44°F | 4.1 in | 0.3 in | 10.9 h |
| November | 52°F | 34°F | 3.2 in | 0.5 in | 9.7 h |
| December | 42°F | 27°F | 3.6 in | 4.0 in | 9.1 h |
| Year total | 46.5 in | 24.0 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00364896, 5.3 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Appalachian is at that time of year.
Appalachian weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 37°F in January, between 42°F in December and 40°F in February, with average lows between 22°F and 27°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 9.3 inches of precipitation, about 20% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 19 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.1 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 49°F in March to 72°F in May, with average lows between 31°F and 51°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March. Together the three months average 11.3 inches of precipitation, about 24% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 4.6 inches for the season, most of it in March. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.2 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 84°F in July, between 80°F in June and 82°F in August, with average lows between 60°F and 64°F. Together the three months average 14 inches of precipitation, about 30% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.9 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 76°F in September to 52°F in November, with average lows between 34°F and 55°F. Together the three months average 11.9 inches of precipitation, about 26% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 0.8 inches for the season. Daylight shortens from about 12.3 hours in September to 9.7 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
It is your responsibility to be prepared for all weather conditions, including extreme and unexpected weather changes year-round. As the trail runs from Georgia to Maine there will be different weather conditions depending on your location. For weather along specific sections of the trail and at specific shelters, please refer to: http://www.atweather.org/
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Appalachian
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 40.41°N, 76.43°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Appalachian National Scenic Trail →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 1.4× the visitors of the park's average month. February is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Appalachian National Scenic Trail. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Appalachian.
Where to stay near Appalachian
Picked a month for Appalachian National Scenic Trail? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Appalachian
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Appalachian?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Appalachian by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Appalachian National Scenic Trail, with an average high of 84°F and an average low of 64°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 5.3 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Appalachian National Scenic Trail, with an average low of 22°F and an average high of 37°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
July is the wettest month, with about 4.9 inches of precipitation. February is the driest, at about 2.6 inches. The station records about 46.5 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 5.3 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 24 inches of snow a year. February is the snowiest month, at about 7.8 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 7 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
38 mi away · warmest in July (85°F)
56 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
59 mi away · warmest in July (86°F)
61 mi away · warmest in July (84°F)
61 mi away · warmest in July (86°F)
69 mi away · warmest in July (87°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00364896), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2025–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.