Weather in the Southern USA

Tennessee has a mostly temperate climate with hot summers (June-August) and mild to cool winters (December-February). While the spring months do produce steady rainfall, intense storms are infrequent. Because Tennessee is at the northern edge of the Southern states, you can expect to see a little bit of snowfall in the winter months, usually averaging about 10 inches per year.

Louisiana's position on the Gulf Coast makes for some intensely muggy summers that occasionally bring stormy days during hurricane season. As June to August can be oppressively hot and humid, the best time to visit is the shoulder season, either from March to May or September to November. Still, regardless of when you visit, you can expect lots of sunshine, with over 100 sunny days per year. New Orleans is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, so keep an eye on the forecast before you make your travel plans.

Charleston, located on the southeastern coast of the US, has a subtropical climate with sweltering summers and mild winters. Snow is rare in the Carolinas, so you can do outdoor activities all year round. If you can handle the heat, Charleston has great surrounding beaches to cool off during the hotter months.

Atlanta is fortunate to have a mostly moderate climate, and since it's located in the northern part of Georgia, the city does experience four distinct seasons throughout the year. The mild springtime brings some rain and flowers, summers are hot and humid, and fall cools down a bit with crisp evenings. In the wintertime, you can expect the occasional ice storm when the temperatures dip below freezing.

The Blue Ridge Mountains straddle the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and vary in elevation, so the local weather can shift based on which section of the mountains you're hiking. Annual rainfall can average around 55 inches in the lowest elevations to 85 inches at the highest points. Clear skies at the base may not always guarantee good weather at higher elevations. Checking the forecast and packing a variety of layers will help you have the best hikes possible.