Updated October 2026
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve Weather by Month
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 81°F and a low of 62°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 41°F and an average low of 24°F. July is the wettest month, with about 5 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in January, at about 16 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, 8.9 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
81°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
24°F avg low
Wettest month
Jul
5.0 in avg
Snowiest month
Jan
15.5 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.6 h of daylight
Average weather at New River Gorge by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F | 24°F | 3.1 in | 15.5 in | 9.7 h |
| February | 44°F | 27°F | 3.1 in | 15.2 in | 10.6 h |
| March | 53°F | 33°F | 4.0 in | 8.9 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 64°F | 43°F | 3.6 in | 1.5 in | 13.0 h |
| May | 72°F | 51°F | 4.7 in | 0.0 in | 14.0 h |
| June | 78°F | 59°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in | 14.6 h |
| July | 81°F | 62°F | 5.0 in | 0.0 in | 14.4 h |
| August | 80°F | 61°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in | 13.5 h |
| September | 74°F | 55°F | 3.2 in | 0.0 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 64°F | 44°F | 2.7 in | 1.4 in | 11.0 h |
| November | 53°F | 35°F | 2.8 in | 2.3 in | 9.9 h |
| December | 44°F | 28°F | 3.3 in | 11.1 in | 9.4 h |
| Year total | 43.5 in | 55.9 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USW00003872, 8.9 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded New River Gorge is at that time of year.
New River Gorge weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 41°F in January, between 44°F in December and 44°F in February, with average lows between 24°F and 28°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 9.5 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 42 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.4 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 53°F in March to 72°F in May, with average lows between 33°F and 51°F. Together the three months average 12.3 inches of precipitation, about 28% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 10 inches for the season, most of it in March. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.0 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 81°F in July, between 78°F in June and 80°F in August, with average lows between 59°F and 62°F. Together the three months average 13 inches of precipitation, about 30% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.6 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 74°F in September to 53°F in November, with average lows between 35°F and 55°F. Together the three months average 8.7 inches of precipitation, about 20% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 3.7 inches for the season, most of it in November. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 9.9 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for New River Gorge
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 37.87°N, 81.00°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 New River Gorge National Park & Preserve →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 1.9× the visitors of the park's average month. January is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near New River Gorge.
Where to stay near New River Gorge
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Top-rated places to stay near New River Gorge
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, with an average high of 81°F and an average low of 62°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 8.9 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, with an average low of 24°F and an average high of 41°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
July is the wettest month, with about 5 inches of precipitation. October is the driest, at about 2.7 inches. The station records about 43.5 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 8.9 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 56 inches of snow a year. January is the snowiest month, at about 16 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 7 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
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23 mi away · warmest in July (81°F)
87 mi away · warmest in July (87°F)
125 mi away · warmest in July (86°F)
136 mi away · warmest in July (89°F)
144 mi away · warmest in July (75°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USW00003872), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1984–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.