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Natural Heritage

Weather Records

49 Years of Weather Records From The US Weather Service Reporting Station On Grandfather Mountain

The official US Weather Service Reporting Station located at the Swinging Bridge Visitor Center has been providing daily weather observations since August of 1955.

Each day, trained Grandfather Mountain employees call the National Weather Service regional office in Asheville to report the minimum and maximum temperatures, rainfall, snowfall, wind direction and velocity. A monthly record of that information is filed each month with the Department of Commerce.

Weather instruments are accessible to the public in two locations. A wind gauge and a digital thermometer are located across from the main entry to the Visitor Center and a computerized weather readout is incorporated into the weather exhibit in the Nature Museum.

With rare exceptions, the temperature will be 10 to 20 degrees cooler at Grandfather Mountain than in the flatlands below. The average rate is 2.2 degrees per 1,000 feet, meaning that for each thousand feet gained, the air is 2.2 degrees cooler.

  Rainfall  
Average Annual Rainfall 62.65 in.  
Most Rain in One Day 11.3 in. September 8, 2004
Most Rain in Two Days 12.15 in. September 7-8, 2004
Most Rain in One Month 32.3 in. September, 2004
Least Rain in One Month 0.31 in. October 1963

 

Wind Speed
Highest observed wind speed 196 mph April 18, 1997
Ave. Number of Days Per Year Winds in excess of 60 mph   31 days
Ave. Number of Days Per Year Winds in excess of 100 mph   6 days

 

  Snowfall  
Average Winter Snow 55.68 in.  
Most Snow in One Winter 116 in. 1995-96
Least Snow in One Winter 8.14 in. 1956-57
Most Snow in One Month 54 in. January 1977
Most Snow in One Day 24 in. March 16, 1993
Earliest Fall Snow   September 10, 1964
Latest Spring Snow   May 27, 1961

 

Temperature Records (In Degrees Fahrenheit)
Highest Temperature 83 degrees August 23, 1983
Lowest Temperature -32 degrees January 21, 1985

 

Average Daily Temperatures by month
  Ave. High Ave. Low
January 35.27 19.61
February 37.65 21.84
March 44.53 28.42
April 53.74 36.85
May 60.8 45.37
June 66.03 52.7
July 69.12 56.40
August 68.10 55.87
September 62.62 50.44
October 56.06 40.63
November 46.15 31.98
December 38.6 23.9

 
Fall Color ReportWhy Grandfather Mountain is such a colorful leaf-looking destinationInsider's Tips to Visiting Grandfather in OctoberPhotos, Virtual Tours & More…Get the Monthly NewsletterCurrent Weather Conditions
 
What People Say…

" I am a frequent visitor (20+ times a year with an annual pass). I always see something different. Great staff--especially the dining room people. I enjoy running "THE BEAR" "

Everett

Gastonia, NC

" I used to go the mountain as a child with my grandmother. It is a memory that I will never forget."

Cari

Savanah, GA

" I've been trying to get to your mountain since I was old enough to see ads for it on the TV as a child. I'm all grown up now, with a 3-year-old daughter of my own, and I'm pleased to report that both of us can now report that we've visited Grandfather Mountain. Both of us have a love of wild places, and yours certainly made an impression on us. We'll be back - often!"

Shannon

Union Hall, VA

" I love Grandfather Mountain. "

Brandon

Greenville, WI

" As close to God as you can get. Unforgettable and awe-inspiring. "

Brian & Amanda

Fort White, FL

" Beautiful park! Loved it. So clean and the animals were so healthy looking. I will definately return. "

Teri

Blowing Rock, NC

" I started visiting with my family as a kid, and have recently visited with my wife. I love it here. Anyone who is ever thinking about visiting or trying to find a place to go should! You will not be let down, there is a little for everyone to do. "

Gary

Fort Myers, FL

" Enjoyed our first trip to Granfather Mtn. - best Fall foliage this side of Massachusetts! Got great bear and eagle pictures - frameable. "

Bonnie

" We used to have family reunions in North Carolina and visited Grandfather Mountain. Although it's been many years since my last visit, the pictures on this site reminded me of what I have to get back! I remember the Swinging Bridge. And I remember taking a nature walk and wondering why everyone cared about the flowers. Now I know. "

Marilyn

Cincinnati, OH

" Just looked at the first "Escape to Grandfather Mountain" on my computer. Grandfather is one of my favorite places in all the world, and my wife & I first visited on our honeymoon in Aug. of 1959. Now I have health problems, and at age 70 I don't know when, or if, I'll ever return in person. But I "return" constantly now via my computer, and can relive the beautiful memories of actually being there. Thank you so very much for having this wonderful web site, and for the fantastic photos included. I wish I could be back "on top", but this is the next best thing. "

William

Greenville, SC