One of the primary reasons that Western North Carolina contains such high levels of biodiversity- is of course it's varied elevation and the micro habitats that it provides. Lower elevations contain hotter, more humid climate and higher elevations are cooler. Most of the region sits between 1100 and 3000 feet, with higher peaks nearing 6800 feet. These temperate mountain forests thrive in much cooler conditions, than say Greenville, SC or Knoxville TN which are below the mountains to the south and north. Here are some links that best describe the weather and climate in Western North Carolina.
For daily weather, almanacs, and weather cams: Raysweather.com
General climate description for hiking: https://www.hikewnc.info/areainfo/weather-and-climate
Historical climate and future projections of climate change:
NC Statewide Climate Synopsis:
NC Climate Science Report (2019)
More on Climate Change in WNC
Pulse the Planet talk: https://www.mhu.edu/event/pulse-of-the-planet/
This past February I had the opportunity to attend an event at Mars Hill University led by Deke Ardnt, the lead of the climate monitoring team at the NOAA's Center for Environmental Information based in Asheville. In summary, Deke was able to confirm that WNC is headed for a "warmer, wetter" climate scenario with more frequent extreme weather events. This is known as the Hadley model that will typify much of climate change in the southeast. Though climate change has not been the highest driver of biodiversity loss, it is inevitably going to be an increasing threat as life in micro habitats often depends on stable conditions.