Weather & Climate in Balfour, NC

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

Balfour enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 301 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 59.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,509 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	56.0°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,509 ft (765 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density	699/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3526°N, 82.4888°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Henderson County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 59.1"

55% above US avg

Snowfall 6.7"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.59"

Driest Month (Apr) 4.06"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	69.3 / 100
Community Resilience	40.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

80 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

May 10, 2025	21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee	M4.1	137 km	25 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	67 km	1 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	143 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	43 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	120 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	118 km	14 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	133 km	21 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	124 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	39 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	140 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	69 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	111 km	7 km
Jul 11, 1990	1 km NW of Alcoa, Tennessee	M2.9	145 km	17 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	117 km	9 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	140 km	10 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	123 km	7 km
Dec 15, 1995	Kentucky-Tennessee border region	M2.8	143 km	10 km
Jul 5, 1996	7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina	M2.8	138 km	5 km
Jul 11, 2000	7 km W of Seymour, Tennessee	M2.8	133 km	5 km
Apr 14, 2005	19 km SE of Vonore, Tennessee	M2.8	146 km	16 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 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	146 km

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

Tornado History

287 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 456 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	59 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	83 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	98 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	86 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	81 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	95 km	1.9 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	65 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	65 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	64 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	52 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	46 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	100 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	74 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	62 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	70 km	8.4 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	63 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	97 km	4.2 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	94 km	2.6 mi	0
Aug 26, 2008	EF2	91 km	5.5 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	99 km	2.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHIMNEY TOPS 2 (14,998 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	CHIMNEY TOPS 2	14,998	99 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	100 km
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	78 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	26 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	39 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	74 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	81 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	68 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	89 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	91 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	47 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	77 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	53 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	99 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	72 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	84 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	82 km
1998	FOURNEY CREEK	2,579	96 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	83 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	88 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	4.7 in	Coldest
February	39°F (4°C)	4.5 in
March	47°F (8°C)	5.6 in	Wettest
April	54°F (12°C)	4.1 in	Driest
May	62°F (17°C)	5.0 in
June	69°F (20°C)	4.8 in
July	74°F (23°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	5.0 in
September	66°F (19°C)	4.2 in
October	55°F (13°C)	4.1 in
November	47°F (8°C)	4.5 in
December	39°F (4°C)	4.1 in

Balfour has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 37°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.6") and April the driest (4.1").

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