Weather & Climate in Bent Creek, NC

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

Bent Creek experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 35°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 52.0 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 2,215 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	54.4°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,215 ft (675 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
Population Density	839/sq mi
Coordinates	35.5111°N, 82.6170°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Buncombe County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.0"

37% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.92"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.19"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	89.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	35.0 / 100
Community Resilience	70.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

107 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	124 km	25 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	139 km	23 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	142 km	10 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	53 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	133 km	17 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	127 km	2 km
Aug 31, 2009	2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee	M3.3	139 km	14 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	24 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	101 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	99 km	14 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	112 km	21 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	144 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	130 km	10 km
Sep 24, 1991	6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	137 km	13 km
Nov 10, 1992	4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	138 km	10 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	48 km	9 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	92 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	63 km	2 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	130 km	0 km
Jul 17, 2019	7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.0	135 km	13 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	165 km

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

Tornado History

224 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 18 fatalities, 379 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	94 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	79 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	67 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	61 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	80 km	1.9 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	84 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	86 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	76 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	72 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	61 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	83 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	92 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	84 km	8.4 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	77 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	87 km	8.8 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	59 km	3.7 mi	0
Jan 7, 1998	EF2	79 km	1.5 mi	0
Feb 21, 1997	EF2	88 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 26, 1994	EF2	83 km	12.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF2	73 km	45.4 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	83 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	91 km
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	76 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	34 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	52 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	72 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	88 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	47 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	76 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	96 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	42 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	76 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	51 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	93 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	96 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	51 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	82 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	70 km
1998	FOURNEY CREEK	2,579	84 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	62 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	39°F (4°C)	4.0 in
March	47°F (8°C)	4.9 in	Wettest
April	55°F (13°C)	3.7 in
May	62°F (17°C)	4.5 in
June	69°F (21°C)	4.4 in
July	73°F (23°C)	4.1 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	4.6 in
September	66°F (19°C)	3.6 in
October	56°F (13°C)	3.2 in	Driest
November	47°F (8°C)	3.7 in
December	39°F (4°C)	3.6 in

Bent Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 35°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (3.2").

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