Updated October 2026
Blue Ridge Parkway Weather by Month
Blue Ridge Parkway is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 86°F and a low of 65°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 48°F and an average low of 29°F. July is the wettest month, with about 4.1 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in January, at about 3.8 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, 4.4 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Blue Ridge Parkway can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
86°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
29°F avg low
Wettest month
Jul
4.1 in avg
Snowiest month
Jan
3.8 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.4 h of daylight
Average weather at Blue Ridge by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F | 29°F | 3.3 in | 3.8 in | 9.8 h |
| February | 52°F | 32°F | 2.9 in | 2.2 in | 10.7 h |
| March | 59°F | 38°F | 3.5 in | 2.0 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 69°F | 46°F | 3.7 in | 0.3 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 76°F | 54°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in | 13.9 h |
| June | 83°F | 61°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in | 14.4 h |
| July | 86°F | 65°F | 4.1 in | 0.0 in | 14.2 h |
| August | 85°F | 64°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in | 13.3 h |
| September | 79°F | 58°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 69°F | 47°F | 2.6 in | 0.0 in | 11.1 h |
| November | 59°F | 37°F | 3.1 in | 0.5 in | 10.1 h |
| December | 51°F | 32°F | 3.3 in | 2.7 in | 9.6 h |
| Year total | 40.7 in | 11.5 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USW00013872, 4.4 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Blue Ridge is at that time of year.
Blue Ridge weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 48°F in January, between 51°F in December and 52°F in February, with average lows between 29°F and 32°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 9.5 inches of precipitation, about 23% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 8.7 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.6 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 59°F in March to 76°F in May, with average lows between 38°F and 54°F. Together the three months average 10.7 inches of precipitation, about 26% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 2.3 inches for the season, most of it in March. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.9 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 86°F in July, between 83°F in June and 85°F in August, with average lows between 61°F and 65°F. Together the three months average 11.1 inches of precipitation, about 27% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.4 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 79°F in September to 59°F in November, with average lows between 37°F and 58°F. Together the three months average 9.4 inches of precipitation, about 23% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 0.5 inches for the season. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.1 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
The weather on the parkway can vary widely along its 469-mile route. Precipitation is possible any time of the year. Winter can be cold and snowy, especially at the higher elevations. Spring and fall can have large temperature swings, from near freezing to over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are hot in the lower elevations, but the highest elevations remain cooler. Summertime thunderstorms are common, so be prepared for weather changes.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Blue Ridge
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 35.57°N, 82.49°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 1.4× 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 Blue Ridge Parkway. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Blue Ridge.
Where to stay near Blue Ridge
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Top-rated places to stay near Blue Ridge
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Blue Ridge Parkway, with an average high of 86°F and an average low of 65°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 4.4 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Blue Ridge Parkway, with an average low of 29°F and an average high of 48°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
July is the wettest month, with about 4.1 inches of precipitation. October is the driest, at about 2.6 inches. The station records about 40.7 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 4.4 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 12 inches of snow a year. January is the snowiest month, at about 3.8 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 6 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
21 mi away · warmest in July (85°F)
45 mi away · warmest in July (87°F)
49 mi away · warmest in July (89°F)
57 mi away · warmest in July (74°F)
68 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
96 mi away · warmest in July (85°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USW00013872), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.