Weather & Climate in Burnsville, NC

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

Burnsville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 72°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 45.9 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 2,750 feet.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	54.1°F
	0% below US avg
January Average	36°F (2°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,750 ft (838 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density	1,339/sq mi
Coordinates	35.9163°N, 82.2977°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Yancey County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.9"

21% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.08"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.58"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	42.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	89.6 / 100
Community Resilience	41.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

86 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	149 km	1 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	130 km	23 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	118 km	2 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	102 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	93 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	136 km	17 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	64 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	113 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	113 km	14 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	142 km	9 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	148 km	0 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	107 km	21 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	116 km	0 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	51 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	20 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	108 km	7 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	77 km	10 km
Jul 17, 2019	7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.0	132 km	13 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	95 km	16 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	128 km	10 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	174 km

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

Tornado History

178 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 348 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	83 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	82 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	99 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	42 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	87 km	19.6 mi	3
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	48 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	32 km	1.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	84 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	79 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	78 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	60 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	55 km	8.8 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	85 km	2.6 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	89 km	2.0 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	44 km	3.7 mi	0
Aug 16, 1994	EF2	91 km	1.5 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF2	99 km	45.4 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF2	56 km	15.0 mi	0
May 24, 1979	EF2	60 km	0.3 mi	0
Feb 18, 1976	EF2	83 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: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	37 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	50 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	36 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	67 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	44 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	68 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	24 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	38 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	28 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	49 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	41 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	17 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	76 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	83 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	64 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	25 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	30 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	34 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	33 km
2012	STONE MT-PRICE RD FIRE	1,856	93 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	36°F (2°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	36°F (2°C)	4.1 in
March	44°F (6°C)	5.1 in	Wettest
April	51°F (11°C)	4.1 in
May	59°F (15°C)	4.8 in
June	66°F (19°C)	4.7 in
July	72°F (22°C)	4.7 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	4.5 in
September	63°F (17°C)	4.0 in
October	53°F (12°C)	3.6 in	Driest
November	44°F (7°C)	4.0 in
December	37°F (3°C)	3.6 in

Burnsville has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 36°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.1") and October the driest (3.6").

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