Gatlinburg, nestled at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, features a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are short, cold, and wet. The region experiences abundant rainfall, moderate snowfall, and vibrant seasonal changes, making Gatlinburg a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts and scenic travellers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Gatlinburg’s climate is shaped by its Appalachian location, resulting in significant seasonal variation. Summers (June–August) are long, warm, and humid, with average highs of 29–32°C and lows around 17–19°C. July and August can see temperatures reach up to 34°C, though higher elevations are noticeably cooler. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and July is typically the wettest month, with over 135 mm of rain. Humidity can make the heat feel more intense, but mountain breezes offer relief.
Autumn (September–November) brings mild to cool weather and is the driest season. Highs range from 22°C in September to 11°C in November, with lows dropping from 13°C to 2°C. This season is famous for its stunning autumn foliage, drawing visitors from around the world. Winters (December–February) are short, cold, and wet, with highs of 6–12°C and lows around –3 to 2°C. Snow is possible, especially in January and February, but most winter precipitation is rain. Spring (March–May) is mild and increasingly warm, with highs from 16–24°C and frequent rain showers that bring blooming wildflowers and lush greenery. Gatlinburg receives about 1,370 mm of rain and 18–23 cm of snow annually, with 205 sunny days per year and frequent cloud cover, especially in the mountains. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk in higher elevations or during storms.
| Average climate data for Gatlinburg, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 6 | 9 | 13 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 29 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -2 | -0 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 1 | -2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 82 | 110 | 83 | 89 | 80 | 74 | 112 | 79 | 63 | 70 | 70 | 98 | 1,010 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 197 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 64 | 86 | 36 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 19 | 74 | 290 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 8 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 26 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 79 | 78 | 77 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 80 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 46 | 50 | 46 | 39 | 35 | 29 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 36 | 45 | 38 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Gatlinburg is in autumn (late September to early November), when temperatures are mild, rainfall is low, and the Smoky Mountains are ablaze with autumn foliage. Spring (April–May) is also excellent for wildflowers, hiking, and comfortable weather with fewer crowds than summer.
The least favourable time to visit is in mid-summer (July–August), when heat, humidity, and frequent thunderstorms can make outdoor activities uncomfortable. Winter can also be unpredictable, with cold snaps and occasional snow, but offers a quieter experience and scenic mountain views.
Gatlinburg has a humid subtropical climate with warm, humid summers, short cold winters, and abundant rainfall. The area experiences four distinct seasons, vibrant foliage in autumn, and frequent rain or thunderstorms in summer.
The best time for autumn foliage is late October to early November, when the Smoky Mountains display brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. This period offers mild weather and clear, dry days.
Yes, Gatlinburg receives about 18–23 cm of snow per year, mostly in January and February. Snow is more common in higher elevations, while the town often sees rain during winter months.
Summer highs average 29–32°C, with humidity making it feel warmer. Temperatures can occasionally reach 34°C, but the nearby mountains and higher elevations offer cooler conditions.
Gatlinburg receives about 1,370 mm of rain annually, with July as the wettest month. Rain falls throughout the year, but autumn is typically the driest season.
Pack layers for changing temperatures, rain gear for spring and summer, and warm clothing for winter. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring trails and town streets.
Yes, winter is quieter and offers scenic snow-capped mountain views. While temperatures are cold and snow is possible, many attractions remain open, and the festive atmosphere makes it a cosy time to visit.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (28.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (6.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 18.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (16 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-2.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (112.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (62.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,010.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (21.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is November (11.9 days). Over the whole year there are 197 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (86.1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 290.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (7.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, July and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 26.1 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (79.9 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is November (75.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 77.3 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is April (9 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (5.6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (50 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is June (29.2 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 38.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4.9 h). Over the whole year there are 7.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.
