North Carolina The Piedmont Climate

The Piedmont Plateau of North Carolina comprises about one-third of the state and is bordered to the east by the state capital Raleigh*, and to the west by Forest City.  It comprises the middle of the state.

North Carolina's Piedmont Plateau is made up of gently rolling hills, with elevations of about 200 feet up to 1500 feet.

The highest regions of the Piedmont are the small mountains of the Uwharrie Range around Randolph County and the Kings Mountain range around Cleveland and Gaston Counties.

The Piedmont is the hottest part of the state as it is separated from the coast and does not enjoy the altitude that cools the mountain region.  In addition to these locational and geographical characteristics, the denser development in the Piedmont also increases it's temperature.

As most of the population of North Carolina is located in the Piedmont, most of the large cities are also located there.

Increases in  urban development, population density, vehicular traffic, and pollution associated with commerce lead to higher temperatures.

Average temperatures during the height of the summer are in the low nineties in most of the Piedmont, while average temperatures in the winter are in the forties.

Precipitation in the Piedmont is similar to that of the Coastal Plain.  Most of the precipitation comes in the form of rain, and once or twice a year there is some snow and sleet.

The northern part of the Piedmont receives the most snow, averaging about ten inches a year in the northwestern section.  The rest of the region receives an average of one to four inches of snow per year.

In the past, the Piedmont Plateau was an agricultural center.

Today, the Piedmont Plateau is focused more on manufacturing, industry and business based out of the cities.  Some of the agricultural past survives.  For instance, the sandy soils of the Piedmont, which warm quickly in the spring, are a great source of early peaches, to be shipped to the rest of the state.

The Piedmont Plateau is home to one of the fastest growing and most popular areas for retirement.

Located in the southeastern section of the Piedmont is the Sandhills region.

The Sandhills region draws in not only retirees but the active young families with its fabulous golf courses, temperate winters, equestrian history and beautiful, small towns.

An area once known as a winter retreat for Northerners is now drawing people all year round.

North Carolina Piedmont Plateau Cities/Towns

• Apex
• Asheboro
• Black Mountain
• Burlington
• Cary
• Chapel Hill
• Charlotte
• Concord
• Dunn
• Durham
• Fayetteville
• Forest City
• Gastonia
• Hendersonville
• Hickory Nut Gorge, Chimney Rock & Lake Lure
• Hickory
• High Point
• Kannapolis
• Lenoir
• Lexington
• Lincolnton
• Marion
• Monroe
• Morganton
• Mount Airy
• Pinehurst
• Raleigh*
• Salisbury
• Saluda
• Sanford
• Shelby
• Statesville
• Valdese
• Winston-Salem

Learn more about the North Carolina climate and find Your Best Place to Live:

North Carolina Coastal Map and Climate

North Carolina Piedmont Map and Climate

North Carolina Mountains Map and Climate

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About Bob Bencivenga

Bob Bencivenga

Bob Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations. Bob researches the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable.

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