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Weather & Climate in Cleveland, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cleveland 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 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 44.3 inches. The area receives 3.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 807 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.6°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 807 ft (246 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 679/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7331°N, 80.6817°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Rowan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mid-Carolina Regional (SRW) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 82.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 48.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
24 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 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 134 km | 2 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 22 km | 9 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 130 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 128 km | 2 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 127 km | 8 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 147 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 101 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 109 km | 0 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 126 km | 11 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 127 km | 9 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 70 km | 2 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 91 km | 6 km |
| Jul 8, 2023 | Virginia-North Carolina border region | M2.6 | 111 km | 4 km |
| Feb 4, 2021 | 1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina | M2.6 | 94 km | 2 km |
| Jun 12, 2014 | 4 km NE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.5 | 99 km | 7 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 5 km SSE of West Marion, North Carolina | M2.5 | 120 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 285 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 1 | 92 mph | 284 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 292 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 281 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 288 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 189 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 291 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 121 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 290 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
336 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 328 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 65 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 86 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 84 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 60 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 39 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 42 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 97 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 74 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 84 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 56 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 55 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 34 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 81 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 91 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 28 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 90 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 64 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 63 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 12 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHESTNUT KNOB (6,418 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 89 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 82 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 92 km |
| 2016 | TOMBSTONE | 1,747 | 97 km |
| 2016 | HORTON | 1,480 | 92 km |
| 2020 | UWH NARROWS DAM RX | 1,222 | 65 km |
| 2021 | GRINDSTONE | 1,106 | 70 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,097 | 96 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,064 | 78 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 889 | 94 km |
| 2011 | LUMBER PLANT | 779 | 91 km |
| 2007 | BLACK MOUNTAIN FIRE | 752 | 97 km |
| 2000 | MERRITT CK | 750 | 94 km |
| 1992 | COMP 6 B | 737 | 92 km |
| 2019 | ROBEDO SOUTH RX | 727 | 80 km |
| 2011 | SADDLEBACK | 713 | 93 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 665 | 69 km |
| 2024 | COYOTE | 663 | 82 km |
| 2013 | EASTLINE RX | 594 | 92 km |
| 2022 | PINE ROAD | 582 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 49°F (10°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in |
Cleveland has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.4") and November the driest (3.2").