Weather & Climate in Caroleen, NC

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

Caroleen 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 858 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	858 ft (262 m)
Area	1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density	235/sq mi
Coordinates	35.2811°N, 81.7914°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Rutherford County County
Nearest Airport	Greenville Spartanburg International (GSP) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.1"

37% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.12"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.54"

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

40 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	141 km	7 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	131 km	1 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	103 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	96 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	114 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	135 km	10 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	35 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	72 km	2 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	99 km	9 km
Feb 18, 2005	7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina	M2.9	144 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	114 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	86 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	107 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	102 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	38 km	6 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	34 km	9 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	134 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	126 km	2 km
Mar 14, 2015	3 km SE of Cherokee, North Carolina	M2.7	137 km	0 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	59 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 1	75 mph	281 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	90 km

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

Tornado History

348 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 383 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	75 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	26 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	28 km	14.0 mi	4
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	77 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	67 km	18.5 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	81 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	68 km	22.7 mi	2
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	70 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	87 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	36 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	20 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	63 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	39 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	87 km	22.3 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	8 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	50 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	76 km	5.8 mi	3
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	74 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	41 km	2.6 mi	0
May 9, 2008	EF2	56 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	66 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	46 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	88 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	62 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	40 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	73 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	51 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	61 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	62 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	57 km
2010	C-94-95 133 RX	3,192	91 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	68 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,909	94 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	89 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	97 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	81 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,458	90 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	74 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	77 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,274	90 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	43°F (6°C)	4.2 in
March	51°F (10°C)	5.1 in	Wettest
April	58°F (15°C)	3.5 in	Driest
May	66°F (19°C)	4.5 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.5 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	4.4 in
September	70°F (21°C)	4.0 in
October	59°F (15°C)	4.0 in
November	50°F (10°C)	3.7 in
December	42°F (6°C)	4.0 in

Caroleen has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.1") and April the driest (3.5").

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