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Weather & Climate in Dobson, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dobson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 299 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 50.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,235 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.5°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,235 ft (376 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 749/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.3926°N, 80.7237°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Surry County County |
| Nearest Airport | Statesville Regional (SVH) 45 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 73.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
32 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 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 79 km | 2 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 93 km | 9 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 120 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 148 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 115 km | 13 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 100 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 135 km | 2 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 88 km | 9 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 73 km | 9 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 138 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 104 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 95 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 99 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 36 km | 0 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 90 km | 11 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 15 km E of Vansant, Virginia | M2.7 | 141 km | 9 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 37 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 272 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 226 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 191 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
200 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 199 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 83 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 91 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 75 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 55 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 52 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 67 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 54 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 52 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 53 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 36 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 95 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 94 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 66 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 29 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 42 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF2 | 87 km | 12.5 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 73 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 86 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF2 | 82 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 34 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
19 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BULL MOUNTAIN (3,300 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 59 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,194 | 58 km |
| 2010 | HUFF HOLLOW | 1,566 | 94 km |
| 2016 | HORTON | 1,480 | 81 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,460 | 94 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,388 | 74 km |
| 2013 | TANK HOLLOW | 1,340 | 99 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,171 | 76 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,154 | 94 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,124 | 58 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,120 | 74 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,107 | 76 km |
| 2021 | GRINDSTONE | 1,106 | 23 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,064 | 51 km |
| 2011 | LUMBER PLANT | 779 | 21 km |
| 2000 | MERRITT CK | 750 | 23 km |
| 2006 | CHESTNUT | 737 | 73 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 644 | 67 km |
| 2010 | FS CABIN/PLUMBER | 541 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
Dobson has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 36°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and December the driest (3.4").