Weather & Climate in Fairview, NC

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

Fairview experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 68°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 53.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,272 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	51.3°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	33°F (0°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,272 ft (693 m)
Area	6.2 sq mi (16.1 km²)
Population Density	571/sq mi
Coordinates	35.5225°N, 82.4013°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Buncombe County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.0"

39% above US avg

Snowfall 28.5"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.35"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.74"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	89.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	35.0 / 100
Community Resilience	70.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

83 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	144 km	25 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	73 km	1 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	147 km	5 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	148 km	17 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	146 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	43 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	117 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	115 km	14 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	146 km	9 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	124 km	21 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	140 km	2 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	140 km	0 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	109 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	49 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	29 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	119 km	10 km
Jul 17, 2019	7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.0	148 km	13 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	136 km	10 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	98 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	138 km	16 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 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	150 km

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

Tornado History

258 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 416 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	100 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	75 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	65 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	70 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	68 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	76 km	1.9 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	84 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	82 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	84 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	70 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	66 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	98 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	95 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	76 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	72 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	90 km	8.4 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	58 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	84 km	4.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	90 km	8.8 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	83 km	2.6 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	60 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	16 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	60 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	55 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	68 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	56 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	96 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	76 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	27 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	58 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	34 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	60 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	65 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	62 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	78 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	61 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	27 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	66 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	57 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	47 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (0°C)	4.4 in	Coldest
February	38°F (3°C)	4.3 in
March	45°F (7°C)	5.4 in	Wettest
April	53°F (12°C)	4.1 in
May	60°F (16°C)	4.9 in
June	67°F (20°C)	4.7 in
July	68°F (20°C)	4.5 in
August	70°F (21°C)	4.8 in	Warmest
September	65°F (18°C)	4.1 in
October	55°F (13°C)	3.7 in	Driest
November	46°F (8°C)	4.2 in
December	39°F (4°C)	3.9 in

Fairview has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 33°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 52.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.4") and October the driest (3.7").

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