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Weather & Climate in Cullowhee, NC

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

Cullowhee enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 74°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 54.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,155 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,155 ft (657 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.9 km²)
Population Density1,916/sq mi
Coordinates35.3097°N, 83.1815°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyJackson County County
Nearest AirportAsheville Regional (AVL)
37 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.2"
43% above US avg
Snowfall 4.3"
Wettest Month (Mar) 7.05"
Driest Month (Oct) 4.61"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score80.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability89.2 / 100
Community Resilience38.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

139 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 78 km 25 km
Jan 20, 2020 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee M3.8 146 km 35 km
Jul 30, 1997 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee M3.8 138 km 23 km
Jul 5, 1995 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee M3.7 89 km 10 km
Jun 17, 1998 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee M3.6 130 km 11 km
Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 23 km 1 km
Mar 5, 2019 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee M3.4 121 km 17 km
Apr 20, 2010 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee M3.3 87 km 2 km
Apr 11, 2006 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee M3.3 118 km 20 km
Aug 31, 2009 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee M3.3 100 km 14 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 41 km 0 km
May 10, 2006 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee M3.2 113 km 25 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 84 km 17 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 81 km 14 km
Aug 1, 2009 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee M3.2 105 km 5 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 111 km 21 km
Oct 30, 1991 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia M3.1 146 km 8 km
Sep 24, 1991 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 95 km 13 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 74 km 7 km
Nov 10, 1992 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 94 km 10 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 201 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

233 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 302 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011 EF4 83 km 14.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF3 78 km 16.7 mi 1
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 100 km 37.0 mi 1
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 87 km 15.8 mi 6
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 99 km 13.6 mi 2
Mar 27, 1994 EF3 71 km 28.0 mi 0
Nov 15, 1989 EF3 86 km 8.0 mi 0
May 27, 1973 EF3 91 km 60.2 mi 0
Mar 23, 2022 EF2 60 km 6.3 mi 0
Apr 25, 2020 EF2 86 km 5.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 60 km 8.0 mi 0
Oct 8, 2017 EF2 72 km 8.4 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 83 km 16.9 mi 0
Apr 10, 2009 EF2 98 km 9.5 mi 0
Aug 26, 2008 EF2 88 km 5.5 mi 0
Aug 29, 2005 EF2 85 km 5.0 mi 0
Jan 7, 1998 EF2 78 km 1.5 mi 0
Sep 16, 1996 EF2 84 km 6.0 mi 0
Jun 26, 1994 EF2 53 km 12.0 mi 0
May 5, 1989 EF2 85 km 10.5 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 47 km
2016 CHIMNEY TOPS 2 14,998 51 km
2016 TELLICO 14,172 37 km
2016 BOTELER 8,626 52 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 87 km
2024 RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE 8,324 85 km
2016 PINNACLE MOUNTAIN 7,869 51 km
2016 MAPLE SPRINGS 7,696 69 km
2016 SILVER MINE 6,082 75 km
2001 SHARP 6,039 33 km
2024 RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE 5,154 87 km
2013 BEAVER DAM 4,336 85 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 98 km
2021 UNNAMED 3,888 87 km
2019 COW CAMP 3,786 82 km
2016 CAMP BRANCH 3,234 37 km
2023 PANTHER KNOB 3,170 40 km
2019 JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX 3,120 87 km
2001 LARMAN 3,072 75 km
2010 COW CAMP-A 2,953 82 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 37°F (3°C) 5.9 in Coldest
February 38°F (3°C) 5.8 in
March 45°F (7°C) 7.1 in Wettest
April 52°F (11°C) 5.2 in
May 60°F (15°C) 6.1 in
June 66°F (19°C) 5.6 in
July 74°F (23°C) 5.7 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 5.5 in
September 64°F (18°C) 5.2 in
October 54°F (12°C) 4.6 in Driest
November 45°F (7°C) 5.8 in
December 38°F (3°C) 5.9 in

Cullowhee has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 37°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 68.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (7.1") and October the driest (4.6").

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