Editing Watauga County, North Carolina (section)

==Climate==
As with most of North Carolina's [[Western North Carolina#High Country|High Country]], the climate of Watauga County is that of a [[humid continental climate]], characterized by considerably cooler and more extreme weather than in other parts of the state. Dramatic and unexpected changes in the weather are not uncommon in the county, particularly for precipitation. This is partly due to the elevation of the county, and partly due to [[orographic lifting]], which causes precipitation to fall more readily in Watauga County than in lowland areas to the south and east. Summers can be very warm, with temperatures commonly near 80 °F and occasionally (although infrequently) approaching 90 °F. Snow usually starts in November, tapering off by March, and occasional snowfall occurs in April. Windy conditions tend to be amplified across the county due to the rugged terrain and high elevation.

=== Ski resorts ===
Because of the cold winter climate in Watauga County, the area is home to several ski resorts.

* [[Appalachian Ski Mountain]]

* Beech Mountain Resort

* Sugar Mountain Resort