Weather & Climate in Bakersville, NC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Bakersville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 299 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 52.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,464 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	51.8°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,464 ft (751 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density	945/sq mi
Coordinates	36.0154°N, 82.1582°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Mitchell County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.5"

38% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.28"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.62"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	24.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.5 / 100
Community Resilience	50.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

86 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

Nov 10, 2012	6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky	M4.2	148 km	17 km
Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	150 km	1 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	136 km	23 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	88 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	102 km	2 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	110 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	145 km	17 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	81 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	126 km	14 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	134 km	9 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	144 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	126 km	17 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	115 km	21 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	59 km	9 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	120 km	0 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	17 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	61 km	10 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	121 km	7 km
Jul 17, 2019	7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.0	140 km	13 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	139 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	175 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

177 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 313 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	72 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	80 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	73 km	19.6 mi	3
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	50 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	59 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	27 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	95 km	8.4 mi	1
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	76 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	73 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	81 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	57 km	8.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	44 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	80 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	97 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 2005	EF2	91 km	4.0 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	84 km	2.0 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	47 km	3.7 mi	0
Aug 16, 1994	EF2	82 km	1.5 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF2	44 km	15.0 mi	0
May 24, 1979	EF2	53 km	0.3 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	29 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	61 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	30 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	63 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	58 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	62 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	35 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	32 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	33 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	63 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	32 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	11 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	90 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	67 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	79 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	34 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	35 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	27 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	32 km
2012	STONE MT-PRICE RD FIRE	1,856	99 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	34°F (1°C)	4.2 in
March	41°F (5°C)	5.3 in	Wettest
April	49°F (9°C)	4.3 in
May	56°F (13°C)	5.0 in
June	63°F (17°C)	4.8 in
July	69°F (21°C)	4.8 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	4.7 in
September	61°F (16°C)	4.2 in
October	51°F (11°C)	3.9 in
November	43°F (6°C)	4.2 in
December	35°F (2°C)	3.6 in	Driest

Bakersville has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 33°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.3") and December the driest (3.6").

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