Weather & Climate in Bethlehem, NC

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

Bethlehem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 310 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 47.2 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 1,135 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	59.0°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,135 ft (346 m)
Area	7.6 sq mi (19.8 km²)
Population Density	515/sq mi
Coordinates	35.8175°N, 81.3008°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Alexander County County
Nearest Airport	Hickory Regional (HKY) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.2"

24% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.72"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	45.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	77.8 / 100
Community Resilience	26.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

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

Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	126 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	105 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	144 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	55 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	89 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	71 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	80 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	51 km	9 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	145 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	142 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	94 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	110 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	144 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	99 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	112 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	77 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	135 km	5 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	84 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	53 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	35 km	6 km

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

Hurricane History

2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	245 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	126 km

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

Tornado History

298 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 287 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	9 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	46 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	100 km	15.0 mi	2
May 8, 2008	EF3	85 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	86 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	77 km	18.5 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF3	100 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	98 km	3.5 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	35 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	72 km	8.7 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	76 km	6.2 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	12 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	87 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	92 km	16.1 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	66 km	5.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	47 km	3.2 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	84 km	2.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	68 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	24 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	99 km	12.5 mi	2

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	54 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	93 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	56 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	39 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	29 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	84 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	53 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	74 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	49 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	91 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	96 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	83 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	57 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	61 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	76 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	86 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	49 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	62 km
2001	OAK MT. FIRE	1,677	80 km
1987	HAMPTON	1,536	94 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	3.8 in	Coldest
February	42°F (5°C)	3.9 in
March	49°F (10°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
April	58°F (14°C)	3.5 in
May	66°F (19°C)	4.4 in
June	73°F (23°C)	4.5 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.2 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	4.1 in
September	70°F (21°C)	4.1 in
October	59°F (15°C)	3.7 in
November	49°F (10°C)	3.5 in	Driest
December	41°F (5°C)	3.7 in

Bethlehem has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.7") and November the driest (3.5").

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