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Weather & Climate in Flat Rock, NC

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

Flat Rock 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 59.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,539 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average56.0°F
4% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,539 ft (774 m)
Area8.2 sq mi (21.3 km²)
Population Density141/sq mi
Coordinates35.2668°N, 82.4516°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyHenderson County County
Nearest AirportAsheville Regional (AVL)
13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 59.1"
55% above US avg
Snowfall 6.7"
Wettest Month (Mar) 6.02"
Driest Month (Apr) 4.33"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score83.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability69.3 / 100
Community Resilience40.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

69 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

May 10, 2025 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee M4.1 143 km 25 km
Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 73 km 1 km
Jan 3, 1992 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina M3.4 143 km 3 km
Apr 20, 2010 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee M3.3 149 km 2 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 52 km 0 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 129 km 17 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 127 km 14 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 142 km 21 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina M3.0 114 km 2 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 41 km 9 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 147 km 10 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 119 km 7 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 76 km 2 km
Apr 5, 2005 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee M2.9 149 km 10 km
Aug 25, 2013 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina M2.9 123 km 9 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina M2.9 113 km 7 km
Jul 11, 2000 7 km WSW of Seymour, Tennessee M2.8 139 km 10 km
Jul 11, 2000 7 km W of Seymour, Tennessee M2.8 141 km 5 km
Mar 6, 2006 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina M2.8 73 km 4 km
Jul 5, 1996 7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina M2.8 141 km 5 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 4 138 mph 138 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

296 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 458 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1989 EF4 52 km 15.0 mi 2
May 5, 1989 EF4 82 km 14.0 mi 4
Apr 13, 2020 EF3 92 km 16.7 mi 1
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 96 km 13.6 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 91 km 15.8 mi 6
Apr 8, 1974 EF3 98 km 1.0 mi 0
May 27, 1973 EF3 55 km 60.2 mi 0
May 10, 1952 EF3 55 km 22.7 mi 2
Mar 23, 2022 EF2 57 km 6.3 mi 0
Apr 25, 2020 EF2 42 km 5.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 39 km 8.0 mi 0
Feb 6, 2020 EF2 95 km 8.7 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 53 km 3.0 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 68 km 4.9 mi 0
Oct 8, 2017 EF2 63 km 8.4 mi 0
Oct 8, 2017 EF2 95 km 22.3 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 60 km 3.8 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 98 km 4.2 mi 0
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 93 km 2.6 mi 0
Aug 26, 2008 EF2 83 km 5.5 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 84 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 30 km
2016 PINNACLE MOUNTAIN 7,869 34 km
2007 LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) 7,151 79 km
2016 CHESTNUT KNOB 6,418 82 km
2016 SILVER MINE 6,082 78 km
2001 SHARP 6,039 95 km
1985 UNNAMED 4,610 92 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 53 km
2017 WHITE CREEK 4,166 82 km
2016 CLEAR CREEK 3,493 59 km
2001 LARMAN 3,072 82 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,976 89 km
2000 TIPTON HILL 2,661 91 km
2016 HALLS TOP 2,464 92 km
2020 CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP 2,421 84 km
2017 UNNAMED 2,395 99 km
2010 BROWN GAP CREEK-A 2,210 76 km
2013 LOST BEAR EAST 2,167 54 km
2007 UNNAMED 2,026 94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 37°F (3°C) 5.0 in Coldest
February 40°F (4°C) 4.8 in
March 47°F (9°C) 6.0 in Wettest
April 55°F (13°C) 4.3 in Driest
May 62°F (17°C) 5.3 in
June 69°F (21°C) 5.1 in
July 74°F (23°C) 5.0 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 5.3 in
September 66°F (19°C) 4.5 in
October 56°F (13°C) 4.7 in
November 47°F (9°C) 4.9 in
December 40°F (4°C) 4.7 in

Flat Rock has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 37°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.0") and April the driest (4.3").

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