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Best Time for the Blue Ridge Parkway
Sweet spot: February, January, March — computed from NASA POWER climate normals across the route's overnight towns, balancing temperature, rainfall and daylight.
Leaf-peeping peak: overlooks jam on weekends — drive the parkway midweek and be at trailheads by 08:00.
High sections of the parkway close for ice — the valley towns stay open; check NPS closures before each leg.
| Month | Temp | Rain | Daylight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -19.1–21.8°C | 82 mm | 9.7 h | ❄ |
| February | -19.7–22.5°C | 84 mm | 10.6 h | ❄ |
| March | -17.7–26.4°C | 93 mm | 11.7 h | ❄ |
| April | -5.9–28.9°C | 104 mm | 13.0 h | ❄ |
| May | -1.1–33.1°C | 116 mm | 14.0 h | ❄ |
| June | 4.8–37.3°C | 112 mm | 14.5 h | |
| July | 9.9–37.9°C | 119 mm | 14.3 h | |
| August | 8.9–36.9°C | 104 mm | 13.4 h | |
| September | 2.1–35.5°C | 108 mm | 12.2 h | |
| October | -4.5–34.4°C | 93 mm | 11.0 h | ❄ |
| November | -11.0–26.8°C | 90 mm | 10.0 h | ❄ |
| December | -14.9–23.6°C | 103 mm | 9.5 h | ❄ |