Weather & Climate in Barnardsville, NC

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

Barnardsville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 73°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 53.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,338 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	56.2°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	38°F (4°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,338 ft (713 m)
Area	3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²)
Population Density	122/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7819°N, 82.4555°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Yancey County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.8"

42% above US avg

Snowfall 2.1"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.47"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.82"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	42.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	89.6 / 100
Community Resilience	41.1 / 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	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

92 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	141 km	25 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	127 km	23 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	139 km	2 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	74 km	1 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	120 km	5 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	129 km	17 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	140 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	44 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	101 km	14 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	102 km	17 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	102 km	21 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	35 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	96 km	7 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	115 km	0 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	97 km	10 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	47 km	9 km
Jul 17, 2019	7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.0	127 km	13 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	110 km	16 km
Jul 11, 1990	1 km NW of Alcoa, Tennessee	M2.9	139 km	17 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	119 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	172 km

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

Tornado History

181 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 18 fatalities, 358 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	98 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	91 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	86 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	42 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	42 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	47 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	99 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	93 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	100 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	96 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	99 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	77 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	89 km	4.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	61 km	8.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	80 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	92 km	2.6 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	47 km	3.7 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	97 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF2	89 km	45.4 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF2	72 km	15.0 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	95 km
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	52 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	40 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	84 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	49 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	74 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	33 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	96 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	79 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	23 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	52 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	32 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	39 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	57 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	36 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	63 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	48 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	24 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	37 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	48 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (4°C)	4.4 in
February	36°F (2°C)	4.4 in	Coldest
March	43°F (6°C)	5.5 in	Wettest
April	51°F (10°C)	4.3 in
May	58°F (14°C)	5.1 in
June	65°F (18°C)	4.9 in
July	73°F (23°C)	4.8 in	Warmest
August	67°F (20°C)	4.8 in
September	63°F (17°C)	4.3 in
October	53°F (11°C)	3.8 in	Driest
November	44°F (7°C)	4.4 in
December	37°F (3°C)	3.9 in

Barnardsville has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 36°F in February to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.5") and October the driest (3.8").

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