Updated October 2026
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area Weather by Month
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is warmest in August, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 83°F and a low of 61°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 44°F and an average low of 24°F.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 7.4 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Aug
83°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
24°F avg low
Longest days
Jun
14.5 h of daylight
Average weather at Big South Fork by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F | 24°F | 9.8 h |
| February | 48°F | 27°F | 10.7 h |
| March | 57°F | 33°F | 11.7 h |
| April | 67°F | 42°F | 12.9 h |
| May | 74°F | 51°F | 13.9 h |
| June | 80°F | 59°F | 14.5 h |
| July | 83°F | 63°F | 14.3 h |
| August | 83°F | 61°F | 13.4 h |
| September | 78°F | 55°F | 12.2 h |
| October | 69°F | 44°F | 11.0 h |
| November | 56°F | 34°F | 10.0 h |
| December | 48°F | 27°F | 9.5 h |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00407141, 7.4 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Big South Fork is at that time of year.
Big South Fork weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 44°F in January, between 48°F in December and 48°F in February, with average lows between 24°F and 27°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.5 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 57°F in March to 74°F in May, with average lows between 33°F and 51°F. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.9 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs climb from 80°F in June to 83°F in August, with average lows between 59°F and 63°F. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.5 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 78°F in September to 56°F in November, with average lows between 34°F and 55°F. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.0 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
The weather along the Cumberland Plateau can be best described as unpredictable. Each season brings its own weather patterns. Summers are generally hot and humid, with high temperatures sometimes eclipsing 90 degrees. The low temperatures in winter often dip below freezing. Spring sees the most amount of precipitation, but rainfall can occur in various amounts throughout the year.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Big South Fork
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 36.53°N, 84.67°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 Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area →
Weather and crowds together
August, the warmest month, sees about 1.1× the visitors of the park's average month. October is the busiest month of the year and January the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Big South Fork.
Where to stay near Big South Fork
Picked a month for Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Big South Fork
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
August is the warmest month at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, with an average high of 83°F and an average low of 61°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 7.4 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, with an average low of 24°F and an average high of 44°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
Daylight at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area runs from about 9.5 hours a day in December to about 14.5 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
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Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00407141), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1988–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.