Weather & Climate in Banner Elk, NC

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

Banner Elk experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°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 53.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 31.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 3,895 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	50.1°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-0°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,895 ft (1,187 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density	708/sq mi
Coordinates	36.1587°N, 81.8676°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Avery County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.8"

42% above US avg

Snowfall 31.4"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.24"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	47.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	76.7 / 100
Community Resilience	50.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
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

50 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.

Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	75 km	2 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	140 km	1 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	72 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	111 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	119 km	9 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	148 km	0 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	137 km	21 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	149 km	7 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	138 km	0 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	77 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	37 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	37 km	10 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	18 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	81 km	16 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	138 km	9 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	50 km	4 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	115 km	11 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	56 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	111 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	98 km	6 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	177 km

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

Tornado History

191 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 20 fatalities, 313 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	54 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	81 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	86 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	75 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	55 km	19.6 mi	3
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	44 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	77 km	8.4 mi	1
May 26, 2022	EF2	86 km	6.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	63 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	90 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	65 km	4.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	28 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	76 km	8.8 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	82 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	77 km	2.6 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	88 km	1.1 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	86 km	4.9 mi	0
Nov 15, 2006	EF2	100 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 2005	EF2	73 km	4.0 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	61 km	3.7 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	33 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	84 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	37 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	63 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	88 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	56 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	59 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	36 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	54 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	92 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	30 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	37 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	45 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,194	95 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	59 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	60 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	34 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	44 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	50 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	23 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-0°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	34°F (1°C)	4.1 in
March	41°F (5°C)	5.2 in	Wettest
April	49°F (9°C)	4.3 in
May	56°F (14°C)	5.0 in
June	63°F (17°C)	4.7 in
July	68°F (20°C)	4.7 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	4.6 in
September	61°F (16°C)	4.2 in
October	51°F (11°C)	3.9 in
November	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in
December	35°F (2°C)	3.5 in	Driest

Banner Elk has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 31°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and December the driest (3.5").

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