Great Smoky Mountains National Park Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in the United States of America.
Monthly Temperature Averages
The climate in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for significant temperature differences throughout the year. Average maximum daytime temperatures reach a warm 25°C in August. In January, the coolest month of the year, temperatures drop to a cold 6°C. At night, expect even cooler temperatures, with lows averaging around -6°C.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park by month:
The minimum temperature is often recorded between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the highest temperature is usually reached at 3 PM. During this time the sun's heating effect is the strongest.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
August, the city’s warmest month, also receives about 124 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 15 days. For more information, please visit our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Precipitation page.
Annual Temperatures in the United States of America Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
very warm
warm
pleasant
moderate
cold
very cold
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Temperatures Compared World Wide
Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s average annual maximum temperature is 16°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual temperature is around 21°C, resulting in warm summers and mild winters throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Queenstown, New Zealand, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 10°C, with mild summers and cold winters.
In Seoul, South Korea, the average annual temperature is 18°C, featuring distinct seasons.
Adelaide, Australia, enjoys warm summers and mild winters, with an average annual temperature of 21°C.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Global Warming and Its Effects
Climate change is affecting worldwide temperatures, including in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has massive impacts on both local and global levels:
- Global Temperature Rise: The average global land and sea temperatures have risen by about 1.2°C since pre-industrial times.
-
Local Impacts: Most regions of the world are witnessing warmer winters with fewer frost and snowfall days. The global frequency and severity of heatwaves have increased. For example, Europe's summers of 2018, 2019, and 2020 all broke records. Summers are also becoming drier; however, during winter, inland regions have experienced increased rainfall. This has caused elevated river levels and more cases of flooding.
Many countries are experiencing earlier springs and later autumns. This is why some bird species have shifted their migration dates.
For more detailed information about Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Great Smoky Mountains National Park climate page.
Current temperature in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
2 m/s
clear and no rain
2 m/s
clear and no rain
1 m/s
almost clear and no rain
