Weather and Monthly Advice
The weather in Gatlinburg can be quite difficult to understand. One day it can be 65 degrees and the next night it could be as low as 30 degrees. The weather is so fickle that if you decided to vacation in Gatlinburg for more than a few days, you might just experience many seasons. Fall and spring can be the seasons that fluctuate the most. It is very possible during one of these two seasons that it can be 70 degrees one morning and the next morning it could be snowing. Temperatures can be very different from Ober Gatlinburg and the top of Mt. Leconte to downtown Gatlinburg. Although snow is likely during the winter months, it does not blizzard very often. Come and see for yourself!
Fall: This is probably one of the most visited times of the year. For the most part September is still shorts weather (although you might need a long sleeve shirt for some cold nights) and a lot less crowded after the summer rush slows. During this time most of the Gatlinburg attractions are still open so, this is a great time to enjoy some of what Gatlinburg has to offer. Then, at the beginning of October (could vary a week or so), nature starts to paint a picture so magnificent that everyone needs to witness this change once in their life. The colors are usually at peak in the third week of October and stay beautiful through about mid November. By mid November, there is a slight chance that you will see some light snow at some of the higher elevations; Mt. Leconte being one of them. Another very busy time in fall is later in November at Thanksgiving. This time of year is always busy, but there is a slight chance that fall foliage will still be visible.
Winter: Despite popular belief, Gatlinburg is not covered in 2 feet of snow all winter long. You do not have to stay in your cabin all winter. You can venture out into the streets of Gatlinburg. Since it is placed in a valley, from December to February, there is a possibility of snow. The higher elevation might see a lot of snow such as Mt. Leconte, Newfound Gap and Ober Gatlinburg. From December to January, the average high is 50 degrees and the average low is 22. These tend to be lower in the higher elevations.
Spring: If you come to Gatlinburg during the spring month of March you will still need a jacket at night although there is a good chance you will be able to wear shorts during the day. The greening of the trees in the Smokies is a great experience. By this time of the season, most people are ready for a change in the weather because they are tired of cold windy nights. The average high for the spring months is roughly 66 degrees, but this usually doesn’t occur until April and May. The average low for these months is 37 degrees. For the most part, it does not dip into the 30′s during April.
Summer: The summer months of June, July and August can be very hot with high humidity. For the most part, Gatlinburg tends to get very hot in July and August. The average high for July and August is 86 degrees and the average low is 74 degrees. The city of Gatlinburg is at it’s busiest and attractions are plentiful. Between Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains there are so many outdoor activities that you will need to spend several weeks in Gatlinburg to do them all. You can visit one of the many hiking trails on the mountains, horseback ride, bird watch, fish, whitewater raft and so much more.
There are so many things to do during all the seasons of Gatlinburg. Strangely, the hardest part is not picking the attractions, it is picking the season. Once that is done, Gatlinburg takes care of the rest.