Last Updated on November 7, 2023 8:41 am
LINVILLE, N.C. – September 2023 saw fairly average weather on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations.
The average high temperature for September 2023 was 62.06 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 52.35 degrees and a mean of 57.21 degrees.
The warmest temperature recorded last month was 74.5 degrees on Sept. 5, over four degrees shy of the mountain’s record September high of 79 degrees, observed Sept. 24, 2010. Generally, September sees fall weather conditions take hold on Grandfather Mountain, with cooler temperatures arriving.
Sept. 18 saw the coldest temperature recorded last month with 45.3 degrees. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of September (not counting wind chill) was 24 degrees on Sept. 30, 1967.
The weather station on the Mile High Swinging Bridge did not note any days in September with a wind gust higher than 60 mph.
The weather station near the Swinging Bridge reported 2.58 inches of precipitation in September 2023. Precipitation at the top of the mountain includes rain and the liquid equivalent of any frozen precipitation (when applicable).
Observations recorded near the park’s Wilson Center for Nature Discovery totaled 2.58 inches of precipitation, as well. Precipitation is also measured at the latter location, as high winds can make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top.
The mountain’s rainiest September was recorded in 2004, when 32.30 inches were observed near the bridge. That year saw widespread flooding and damage across the region from Hurricanes Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. The driest September on record was observed in 2019, when 0.68 inches were recorded.
There were 21 days of at least trace amounts of recorded liquid precipitation (rain and the liquid equivalent of frozen precipitation, when applicable) for September 2023, two days short of the record 23 days in 2020. The day last month with the highest amount of this precipitation observed was Sept. 11, when 0.86 inches were recorded at the top. The day with the highest amount of precipitation observed on record for September was Sept. 8, 2004, when the weather station observed 11.30 inches.
Weather Reporting
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation records and reports data in two different ways:
- The park maintains an automated weather station at the top of the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The N.C. State Climate Office assists the foundation in calibrating the machines and ensuring overall accuracy of data.
- Grandfather Mountain has been an active member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Cooperative Observer Program since 1955 by reporting weather data from locations near the Mile High Swinging Bridge and the Nature Museum (now the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery).
For more information on weather at Grandfather Mountain, visit www.grandfather.com/weather.
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com.
September 2023 at Grandfather Mountain_Photo by Monty Combs_Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation: September 2023 saw fairly average weather on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for September 2023 was 62.06 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 52.35 degrees and a mean of 57.21 degrees. Generally, September sees fall weather conditions take hold on Grandfather Mountain, with cooler temperatures arriving. (Photo Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation / Monty Combs)
