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Weather & Climate in Crossnore, NC

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

Crossnore experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 298 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 64.8 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 3,358 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days298 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,358 ft (1,024 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density287/sq mi
Coordinates36.0222°N, 81.9308°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyAvery County County
Nearest AirportFoothills Regional (MRN)
23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 64.8"
70% above US avg
Wettest Month (Mar) 5.24"
Driest Month (Dec) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score47.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability76.7 / 100
Community Resilience50.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Relatively 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 Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

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

Jun 26, 1995 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia M3.4 91 km 2 km
Feb 12, 1994 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia M3.4 87 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 128 km 1 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 98 km 0 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 146 km 17 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 146 km 14 km
Jun 5, 1998 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina M3.2 116 km 9 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 135 km 21 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 142 km 7 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 53 km 10 km
Apr 13, 2001 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee M3.0 138 km 0 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 21 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 29 km 9 km
Aug 14, 2009 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia M2.9 91 km 16 km
Feb 15, 2005 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia M2.8 130 km 11 km
Mar 6, 2006 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina M2.8 38 km 4 km
Feb 12, 2021 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee M2.8 50 km 3 km
May 23, 2023 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina M2.8 98 km 1 km
Aug 14, 2025 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina M2.7 82 km 6 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 165 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

207 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 324 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 7, 1998 EF4 52 km 4.0 mi 0
May 5, 1989 EF4 69 km 14.0 mi 4
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 70 km 13.6 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 70 km 19.6 mi 3
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 79 km 15.8 mi 6
Jul 10, 1980 EF3 43 km 1.9 mi 0
Apr 4, 1974 EF3 92 km 8.4 mi 1
May 26, 2022 EF2 89 km 6.0 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 58 km 4.9 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 57 km 4.2 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 76 km 3.8 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 75 km 8.8 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 41 km 12.0 mi 2
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 67 km 2.6 mi 0
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 78 km 2.5 mi 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 100 km 4.9 mi 0
Nov 15, 2006 EF2 94 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 7, 2005 EF2 72 km 4.0 mi 0
May 7, 1998 EF2 70 km 2.0 mi 0
May 7, 1998 EF2 45 km 3.7 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 18 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 67 km
2007 LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) 7,151 22 km
2016 CHESTNUT KNOB 6,418 51 km
2016 SILVER MINE 6,082 78 km
1985 UNNAMED 4,610 47 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 44 km
2017 WHITE CREEK 4,166 21 km
2016 CLEAR CREEK 3,493 37 km
2001 LARMAN 3,072 83 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,976 17 km
2000 TIPTON HILL 2,661 30 km
2007 UNNAMED 2,242 61 km
2010 BROWN GAP CREEK-A 2,210 99 km
2013 LOST BEAR EAST 2,167 43 km
2007 UNNAMED 2,026 55 km
2008 SUNRISE 1,906 18 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,879 28 km
2018 UNNAMED 1,812 34 km
2016 RAILROAD GRADE 2016 1,790 28 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 29°F (-2°C) 3.9 in Coldest
February 34°F (1°C) 4.1 in
March 41°F (5°C) 5.2 in Wettest
April 49°F (9°C) 4.3 in
May 56°F (14°C) 5.0 in
June 63°F (17°C) 4.7 in
July 65°F (18°C) 4.7 in
August 66°F (19°C) 4.6 in Warmest
September 61°F (16°C) 4.2 in
October 51°F (11°C) 3.9 in
November 43°F (6°C) 4.1 in
December 35°F (2°C) 3.5 in Driest

Crossnore has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 29°F in January to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 52.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and December the driest (3.5").

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