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Weather & Climate in Biltmore Forest, NC

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

Biltmore Forest 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 2,212 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average54.4°F
1% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,212 ft (674 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²)
Population Density528/sq mi
Coordinates35.5349°N, 82.5379°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyBuncombe County County
Nearest AirportAsheville 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 Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score89.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability35.0 / 100
Community Resilience70.7 / 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

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

May 10, 2025 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee M4.1 131 km 25 km
Jul 30, 1997 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee M3.8 142 km 23 km
Jul 5, 1995 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee M3.7 149 km 10 km
Feb 12, 1994 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia M3.4 149 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 60 km 1 km
Mar 5, 2019 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee M3.4 137 km 17 km
Apr 20, 2010 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee M3.3 134 km 2 km
Aug 31, 2009 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee M3.3 146 km 14 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 31 km 0 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 104 km 14 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 105 km 17 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 114 km 21 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina M3.0 145 km 2 km
Sep 24, 1991 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 144 km 13 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 124 km 10 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 41 km 9 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 56 km 2 km
Nov 10, 1992 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 145 km 10 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 97 km 7 km
Apr 13, 2001 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee M3.0 132 km 0 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 160 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

230 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 18 fatalities, 400 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1989 EF4 87 km 14.0 mi 4
May 5, 1989 EF4 75 km 15.0 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 65 km 13.6 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 61 km 15.8 mi 6
Jul 10, 1980 EF3 76 km 1.9 mi 0
May 27, 1973 EF3 86 km 60.2 mi 0
May 10, 1952 EF3 86 km 22.7 mi 2
Mar 23, 2022 EF2 80 km 6.3 mi 0
Apr 25, 2020 EF2 73 km 5.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 64 km 8.0 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 87 km 4.9 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 80 km 3.0 mi 0
Oct 8, 2017 EF2 88 km 8.4 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 70 km 3.8 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 96 km 4.2 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 85 km 8.8 mi 0
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 96 km 2.6 mi 0
May 7, 1998 EF2 51 km 3.7 mi 0
Jan 7, 1998 EF2 82 km 1.5 mi 0
Feb 21, 1997 EF2 86 km 1.0 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 89 km
2016 TELLICO 14,172 99 km
2000 BRUSHY RIDGE 12,405 69 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 28 km
2016 PINNACLE MOUNTAIN 7,869 56 km
2007 LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) 7,151 65 km
2016 CHESTNUT KNOB 6,418 80 km
2016 SILVER MINE 6,082 47 km
2001 SHARP 6,039 83 km
1985 UNNAMED 4,610 88 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 35 km
2017 WHITE CREEK 4,166 68 km
2016 CLEAR CREEK 3,493 44 km
2001 LARMAN 3,072 52 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,976 74 km
2000 TIPTON HILL 2,661 64 km
1998 FOURNEY CREEK 2,579 91 km
2016 HALLS TOP 2,464 66 km
2010 BROWN GAP CREEK-A 2,210 50 km
2013 LOST BEAR EAST 2,167 36 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

Biltmore Forest 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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