Weather & Climate in Connelly Springs, NC

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

Connelly Springs enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°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 47.2 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 1,262 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	59.0°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,262 ft (385 m)
Area	5.0 sq mi (12.9 km²)
Population Density	469/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7550°N, 81.4970°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Burke County County
Nearest Airport	Hickory Regional (HKY) 6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.2"

24% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.80"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.58"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	70.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	67.8 / 100
Community Resilience	30.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
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

29 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.

Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	125 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	111 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	126 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	68 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	87 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	55 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	61 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	48 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	137 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	78 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	95 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	125 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	80 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	127 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	58 km	9 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	84 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	67 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	18 km	6 km
Jul 8, 2023	Virginia-North Carolina border region	M2.6	128 km	4 km
Feb 4, 2021	1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina	M2.6	88 km	2 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 2	75 mph	261 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	123 km

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

Tornado History

297 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 292 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	17 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	33 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	85 km	15.0 mi	2
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	78 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	91 km	1.9 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	54 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	65 km	8.7 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	89 km	6.2 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	10 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	98 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	74 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	85 km	5.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	65 km	3.2 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	92 km	2.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	52 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	11 km	4.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	83 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	24 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	31 km	2.5 mi	0
Mar 28, 2010	EF2	97 km	5.0 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	38 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	74 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	39 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	21 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	10 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	65 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	36 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	56 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	34 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	77 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	95 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	64 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	41 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	43 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	59 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	76 km
2013	CALIFORNIA CREEK	1,758	98 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	31 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	45 km
2001	OAK MT. FIRE	1,677	61 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	41°F (5°C)	3.9 in
March	49°F (10°C)	4.8 in	Wettest
April	57°F (14°C)	3.6 in
May	65°F (19°C)	4.5 in
June	73°F (23°C)	4.5 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	4.1 in
September	69°F (21°C)	4.2 in
October	58°F (15°C)	3.8 in
November	49°F (9°C)	3.6 in	Driest
December	41°F (5°C)	3.7 in

Connelly Springs has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and November the driest (3.6").

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