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Weather & Climate in Bryson City, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bryson City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°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 58.6 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 1,734 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 55.8°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,734 ft (529 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 769/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4266°N, 83.4473°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Swain County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 93.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
163 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 | 51 km | 25 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 121 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 123 km | 35 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 103 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 135 km | 3 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 24 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 100 km | 17 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 135 km | 26 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 94 km | 20 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 60 km | 2 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 73 km | 14 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 55 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 65 km | 17 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 87 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 87 km | 25 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 61 km | 14 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 128 km | 7 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 127 km | 18 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 129 km | 8 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 | 228 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
207 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 309 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 56 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 94 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 96 km | 16.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 96 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 89 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 76 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 81 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 98 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 95 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 99 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 91 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF2 | 85 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 85 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 88 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2017 | EF2 | 97 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 83 km | 21.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 78 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 87 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 57 km | 16.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF2 | 77 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 49 km |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY TOPS 2 | 14,998 | 29 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 19 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 45 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 62 km |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 78 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 44 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 80 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 8 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 62 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 63 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,888 | 62 km |
| 2019 | COW CAMP | 3,786 | 56 km |
| 2016 | CAMP BRANCH | 3,234 | 29 km |
| 2023 | PANTHER KNOB | 3,170 | 35 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 71 km |
| 2001 | LARMAN | 3,072 | 78 km |
| 2010 | COW CAMP-A | 2,953 | 57 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,933 | 92 km |
| 2023 | SMITH MOUNTAIN | 2,807 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 5.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 5.3 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 6.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 5.6 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 5.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.9 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 5.0 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 5.3 in |
Bryson City has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 37°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 61.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.4") and October the driest (3.9").