Very warm summers, moderately cold winters and frequent humidity characterize the North Carolina climate and weather. Like Tennessee, the state’s diverse regional elements contribute to significant regional climate variations. North Carolina consists of three climate regions — the Coastal Plain along the Atlantic coast, the central Piedmont plateau and the Appalachian Mountains in the west. The elevation increases by approximately 6,000 feet when traveling from the ocean to the mountains.
Snowfall is most prevalent in North Carolina’s western region. The mountain city of Asheville averages approximately 4.1 inches of snow in January while lower-elevation Charlotte receives about 2.1 inches.