With fall on the way, many Western North Carolina residents and visitors alike are already eagerly awaiting snow.
With the official start of fall less than a week away, multiple publications and weather groups have already made winter weather forecasts. The Citizen Times has previously reported on several such predictions, including those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
, the Old Farmer's Almanac and more.In addition to regular long-range forecasts, NOAA keeps a log of climate records between 1869 and the present. NOAA records kept in the Asheville area include a number of weather elements, from average temperatures and snowfall to extreme cases.
As Western N.C. awaits the beginning of the fall season, here's what to expect
when it comes to snowfall this winter in Asheville.
First snow of the year in Asheville, Western NC
NOAA records on data between 1869-2025 found that November is the first month during which snow is likely to be recorded. Earlier snows are rare, with only 5.1 total inches of snow recorded during October in the Asheville area since 1869.
How much did it snow last year in Asheville, NC?
During the 2025-2026 fall and winter seasons, the following amounts of snow were recorded in Asheville by NOAA:
- November - .2 inches
- December - 0 inches
- January - 4.2 inches
- February - 1 inch
How much does it snow in Asheville, NC?
According to NOAA records between 1869 and 2025, amounts of snow by month, according to climate normals, are:
- November - .1 inches
- December - .9 inches
- January - 4.1 inches
- February - 2.2 inches
- March - 1.9 inches
- April - .9 inches
Asheville, Western NC snowfall map
The Greenville/Spartanburg NOAA office, which makes predictions and keeps records for Western N.C., Upstate South Carolina and several counties in Georgia, also provides an average annual snowfall map based on 30 years of climatology.
When is the first day of fall 2026?
The fall equinox, which marks the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8:04 p.m.
When is the first day of winter 2026?
The winter solstice, which marks the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs Monday, Dec. 21, at 3:50 p.m.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: When will the first snow be in Asheville, NC? What NOAA records show
