Appalachian Highlands Area
Upland physiographic province of eastern United States
A physiographic region of forested ridges and valleys in the eastern United States; in West Virginia the Highlands draw hikers, anglers and visitors tracing coal-mining history along scenic backroads.
Appalachian Highlands at a Glance#
How to Get to Appalachian Highlands#
Accessible by road from Charleston and other West Virginia towns. Major routes include US-19 and I-79 for regional access, with smaller state and county roads leading into trailheads and overlooks. Public transit is limited; driving is generally required.
Tips for Visiting Appalachian Highlands#
- Plan for variable weather - higher elevations can be cooler and foggy even in summer.
- Focus on shorter ridge walks if time is limited; many overlook points are reachable with minimal climbing.
Best Time to Visit Appalachian Highlands#
Best in summer and early fall when trails are most accessible and weather is stable.
Weather & Climate near Appalachian Highlands#
Appalachian Highlands's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (904 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with 96 mm of rain.
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August
August is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).