Gatlinburg Tennessee Weather Averages
Gatlinburg Tennessee weather averages run the gamut and is at some point comfortable to almost any climatic preference from a nippy 35 degrees in January to a warm 73 in July along with substantial rainfall throughout the year. Gatlinburg, Tennessee is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. While its hallmark location is the natural majesty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the most visited national park in the United States), it is also home to one-of-a-kind shows, carnivals, and Dollywood, the theme park owned by country music legend Dolly Parton. One of the most attractive aspects of Gatlinburg is its weather.
A funny yet true observation of Gatlinburg Tennessee weather is, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a day or so, and it’ll change!” One would be hard-pressed to find more varied and less predictable weather than that of Gatlinburg Tennessee. As the data below demonstrates, the year begins with very low temperatures, an average of 35, a “low” average of 23, and a “high” average of 47. This weather is reflective of Tennessee’s low January temperatures as well as Gatlinburg’s high altitude. This altitude allows for a Gatlinburg favorite: snow. In January and throughout a large amount of the year, the extremely high portions of the Gatlinburg area becomes covered with snow. January is prime tourist season for Gatlinburg because snow provides for unparalleled nature viewing and also, for daredevil tourists, snow skiing.
As the year progresses, spring becomes an exciting time for Gatlinburg. The extremely high altitudes still have snow but “mainstream” Gatlinburg sees average temperatures of 55 and 63 in April and May, respectively. Spring sees the infiltration of spring breakers. The natural beauty of the area is in full bloom, wildlife is stirring, and the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (the next town over) open more and more of their attractions, including the icon of Dollywood.
The summer months see another influx of tourists and provides a whole new realm of activities. Extremely unique, Gatlinburg becomes warm enough so as to allow for enjoyable outdoor activities but remains cool enough to curtail miserable heat. July has an average temperature of 73 and an average high of only 85. Summer allows Gatlinburg vacationers to continue to enjoy Dollywood, visit area water parks, or take a white water rafting trip down a Smoky Mountain stream.
Fall and early winter see a sharp decrease in temperatures with the October, November, and December temperature averages being 55, 47, and 39, respectively. It could still be warm enough to wear shorts, or the higher altitudes could experience their first snowfalls of the season. While the theme parks begin to close during this time, the holiday season comes in full force to Gatlinburg, with its iconic Christmas lights becoming an attraction to themselves.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee has one of the most unique weather patterns in America. Anyone can find a time in which they would be comfortable visiting Gatlinburg, which makes it one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.
