Weather & Climate in Cherokee, NC

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

Cherokee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 36°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 56.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,439 feet.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	55.2°F
	2% above US avg
January Average	36°F (2°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,439 ft (743 m)
Area	12.1 sq mi (31.2 km²)
Population Density	135/sq mi
Coordinates	35.4860°N, 83.3011°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Swain County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 43 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.7"

49% above US avg

Snowfall 6.5"

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.34"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.86"

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

152 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	62 km	25 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	116 km	23 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	124 km	35 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	80 km	10 km
Jun 17, 1998	9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee	M3.6	111 km	11 km
Jul 19, 1997	12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia	M3.5	149 km	3 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	9 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	98 km	17 km
Mar 18, 1995	10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee	M3.3	149 km	26 km
Aug 31, 2009	2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee	M3.3	81 km	14 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	69 km	2 km
Apr 11, 2006	5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee	M3.3	108 km	20 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	40 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	62 km	17 km
Mar 7, 2001	6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee	M3.2	140 km	7 km
Mar 7, 2001	5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee	M3.2	140 km	18 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	59 km	14 km
May 10, 2006	3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee	M3.2	99 km	25 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	102 km	5 km
Oct 30, 1991	9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia	M3.1	144 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	219 km

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

Tornado History

197 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 268 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	68 km	14.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	99 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	76 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	88 km	13.6 mi	2
Mar 23, 2011	EF3	86 km	5.8 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	88 km	28.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 2023	EF2	92 km	3.7 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	82 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	82 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	94 km	8.4 mi	0
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	98 km	21.5 mi	0
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	92 km	14.3 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	69 km	16.9 mi	0
Apr 24, 2010	EF2	89 km	14.0 mi	0
Aug 29, 2005	EF2	98 km	5.0 mi	0
Jan 7, 1998	EF2	99 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 26, 1994	EF2	75 km	12.0 mi	0
Apr 4, 1989	EF2	93 km	6.0 mi	0
May 7, 1984	EF2	99 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 28, 1980	EF2	97 km	3.3 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	59 km
2016	CHIMNEY TOPS 2	14,998	29 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	33 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	57 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	96 km
2024	RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE	8,324	76 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	71 km
2016	MAPLE SPRINGS	7,696	58 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	66 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	14 km
2024	RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE	5,154	76 km
2013	BEAVER DAM	4,336	78 km
2021	UNNAMED	3,888	76 km
2019	COW CAMP	3,786	70 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	41 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	47 km
2019	JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX	3,120	85 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	64 km
2010	COW CAMP-A	2,953	70 km
2013	MCINTYRE-A	2,695	74 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	36°F (2°C)	5.3 in	Coldest
February	38°F (3°C)	5.2 in
March	45°F (7°C)	6.3 in	Wettest
April	53°F (11°C)	4.7 in
May	60°F (16°C)	5.5 in
June	67°F (19°C)	5.1 in
July	73°F (23°C)	5.2 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	45°F (7°C)	4.9 in
December	38°F (3°C)	5.2 in

Cherokee has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 36°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (3.9").

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