Weather & Climate in Bostic, NC

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

Bostic enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°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 52.1 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 917 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	58.7°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	917 ft (280 m)
Area	0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density	390/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3625°N, 81.8360°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Rutherford County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.1"

37% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.16"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.74"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	72.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	72.5 / 100
Community Resilience	26.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

39 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Apr 13, 1998	9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina	M3.9	150 km	7 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	125 km	1 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	97 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	98 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	122 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	126 km	10 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	27 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	62 km	2 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	91 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	122 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	76 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	98 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	96 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	34 km	6 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	25 km	9 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	126 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	120 km	2 km
Mar 14, 2015	3 km SE of Cherokee, North Carolina	M2.7	132 km	0 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	51 km	6 km
Mar 26, 2019	10 km W of Forest Hills, North Carolina	M2.6	134 km	1 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 1	75 mph	285 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	100 km

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

Tornado History

337 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 371 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	70 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	33 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	26 km	14.0 mi	4
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	86 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	74 km	18.5 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	85 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	73 km	22.7 mi	2
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	73 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	88 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	44 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	46 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	59 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	29 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	96 km	22.3 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	4 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	46 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	85 km	5.8 mi	3
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	72 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	38 km	2.6 mi	0
May 9, 2008	EF2	61 km	18.2 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	56 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	39 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	87 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	52 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	33 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	83 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	44 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	52 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	53 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	47 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	59 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	99 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	87 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	90 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	83 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	86 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	90 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	51 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,024	89 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,000	91 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	4.2 in	Coldest
February	42°F (6°C)	4.2 in
March	50°F (10°C)	5.2 in	Wettest
April	58°F (14°C)	3.7 in	Driest
May	66°F (19°C)	4.7 in
June	73°F (23°C)	4.6 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.4 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	4.3 in
September	70°F (21°C)	4.0 in
October	59°F (15°C)	4.1 in
November	50°F (10°C)	3.9 in
December	42°F (5°C)	4.0 in

Bostic has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (3.7").

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