Gatlinburg Weather Question

[Chattyaholic]

Thinking about renting a cabin in the Gatlinburg area (received lots of great info from several of you, thanks!) and at first I was thinking about going in September, but then DH said "how about winter?" So, I'm wondering what the weather is like, in February and March. Does it get really cold? Very much snow? It would be fun to do some hiking, but if there's much snow we probably couldn't.

If we decide to go in September, how is the bug situation?
Many of the cabins have hot tubs on the decks and I was wondering if we would be bothered much at night by bugs.

 

[disneyfan551]

I would vote for September! The bugs won't be that bad. You can always buy some bug candles to put by the hot tubs!

Yes, it is cold in Feb/Mar. However, the only bad thing is that alot of attractions are closed and there isn't as much to do. Don't know about you, but I don't like doing much of anything when I'm cold!

They do have an ice skating rink at OberGatlinburg that you could try, if you go in the Winter.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[shep]

I think the only months we haven't been down there have been January & December....
The weather has always been great...Even in February & November... ...
Never had any bug issues...
October is a great time if you can time it right so you can see the leaves turning or spring when the flowers are blooming...

We're going in April...
PM me if you want some good hiking places....
We know where lots of waterfalls are at....

 

[disneyfan551]

October is DEFINITELY the best time to go, due to the leaf season! Just depends if you can handle the tourist season, and quite a bit of traffic! But, overall, it IS worth it!!

 

[Chattyaholic]

Would LOVE to see the colors in October, but can't do it.
DH's main job is farming and harvest starts near the end of Septebmer, for about 6-weeks.

It's either September, or possibly February or March, before the spring farm work starts in mid-April.

Someone said it's "cold" in the winter...well, how cold?
Sub-zero like here in Michigan? I'm kind of doubting it gets THAT cold, but do you get SNOW there? We have been to Nashville in January several times and only once did we have to deal with snow, so I'm wondering how Gatlinburg would be. Do they regularly get snow there in the winter, or is it unusual they would get any? What is the AVERAGE daytime temperature there in the winter months?

Oh, and we don't mind if the attractions are closed. We'd spend less money that way. It would give us that much more time to enjoy the cabin we rent.

 

[UncleKyle]

October isn't bad time to go if you know the backroads and your way around traffic. The weather during the winter can be weird, the mountains cause havic with it. Sometimes its nice and briskly cold, other times its snowing like crazy and the snow will accumulate in like 30 min. I prefer the spring months or late fall. Summer isn't bad either if you can take the heat.

 

[disneyfan551]

The weather in Sept. is really nice too! You start getting the "feel of Fall" and it's wonderful. Feb/Mar. is not too cold, definitely not by your standards. I can't tell you the averages, but I would guesstimate 30-40. No sub-zeros here!

While it does snow here, it isn't alot. For example, the last 2 storms that have come through, almost completely missed us. The central part of NC that is flatland, usually receives no snow, yet they just got 12+ inches yesterday, while the mountains of NC (20 miles from TN) only received 1"! It is beautiful when it does snow, but I wouldn't count on it. You just never know with Mother Nature!

 

[ilovepcot]

DH and I have been going to Gatlinburg for the past 16 years.....usually the winter months hoping to see some snow! Have only seen slight flurries once. I was so disappointed!!! The locals there explained to us that due to its geographical location, they rarely get snow. Instead, it snows all around them. And no.....the cold isn't anything like you experience at home. We found no need for layering clothing and a medium weight coat and gloves was all I needed when temps were at their lowest.

October really is gorgeous there, but we find the crowds at that time more than we can handle. Oh, the hotel rates are much better in winter, too.