Wilkes County Climate
Wilkes County, North Carolina
Avg Annual Temp
57.5°F
Annual Precip
52.1"
Annual Snowfall
6.6"
Extreme Heat Days
32.05
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
Climate Profile
About Wilkes County Weather
A temperate foothills climate
Wilkes County averages 57.5°F, placing it slightly above the national median temperature. Its position in the Blue Ridge foothills creates a distinct transition between mountain and piedmont weather.
Slightly cooler than the state average
The county's 57.5°F annual average is nearly 2 degrees cooler than the North Carolina state average of 59.3°F. This reflects the cooling influence of its rising elevation.
More snow than eastern neighbors
Wilkes receives 6.6 inches of snow annually, which is significantly more than the coastal plain counties to the east. Its 52.1 inches of rain closely mirrors the state average.
Moderate summers with crisp winters
Summer highs average 76.7°F in July with about 32 days of extreme heat reaching 90°F. Winters are cool but not freezing, averaging 39.8°F from December through February.
Prepare for variable foothill weather
Residents need a versatile HVAC system to handle the 40-degree swing between seasons. Keep a snow shovel ready for the 6.6 inches of annual snowfall that typically arrives in mid-winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020.
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables computed from 1991 to 2020. Station data is aggregated to county level using spatial averaging. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.