One of the things that creates a buzz about western North Carolina is our favorable climate. We get the opportunity to speak to people from all over the country, mostly from the eastern seaboard. They say Florida summers are too hot, and too long. The folks in the northeast say the winters seem to last forever.

We enjoy four comfortable seasons, here in Rutherford County, each about three months long. Summers are warm, with temps in the upper 80’s, with each morning starting out in the 60’s. Winters are cool, in the upper 40’s mostly. A little snow falls our way, usually twice during winter, and a couple inches each, as an average. Enough to look pretty, but not cause any problems (although our northern friends laugh, because we close the schools when there is even a dusting of snow on the ground).

Fall is absolutely beautiful here in the upper foothills and mountains. Being surrounded by thousands of hardwood trees, turning brilliant colors of orange, yellow and red is like living in a postcard. And springtime is gorgeous. Further south, spring is only two weeks of nice low humidity weather. Here it is three months. And speaking of humidity, our average for winter is 50%, and it climbs to about 75% during the summer months.

What makes our weather so desirable? Being surrounded by the mountains creates a kind of cushion called the Isothermal Belt. Temperatures stay mild. You may be considering a vacation home in this area, but if you are thinking permanent relocation or retirement, you are in for a pleasant change of weather!