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Weather & Climate in Forest City, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forest City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°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 52.1 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 999 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 58.7°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 999 ft (304 m) |
| Area | 8.3 sq mi (21.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 858/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3347°N, 81.8708°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Rutherford County County |
| Nearest Airport | Greenville Spartanburg International (GSP) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 72.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 72.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
38 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 122 km | 1 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 95 km | 0 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 101 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 118 km | 2 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 26 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 64 km | 2 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 94 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 118 km | 7 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 77 km | 4 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 98 km | 3 km |
| May 23, 2023 | 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina | M2.8 | 94 km | 1 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 30 km | 6 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 25 km | 9 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 129 km | 11 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 125 km | 2 km |
| Mar 14, 2015 | 3 km SE of Cherokee, North Carolina | M2.7 | 129 km | 0 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 55 km | 6 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 10 km W of Forest Hills, North Carolina | M2.6 | 131 km | 1 km |
| Feb 4, 2021 | 1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina | M2.6 | 145 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 1 | 75 mph | 288 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 100 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
337 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 386 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 74 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 29 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 30 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 85 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 76 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF3 | 81 km | 60.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1952 | EF3 | 69 km | 22.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2020 | EF2 | 68 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 83 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 45 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 63 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 28 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 42 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2017 | EF2 | 92 km | 22.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 50 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 7 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF2 | 85 km | 5.8 mi | 3 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 76 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 42 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2008 | EF2 | 63 km | 18.2 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 | 59 km |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 37 km |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 83 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 55 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 37 km |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 82 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 49 km |
| 2022 | LOST BEAR RX FY2022 | 4,276 | 52 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 56 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 48 km |
| 2010 | C-94-95 133 RX | 3,192 | 98 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 62 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 97 km |
| 2000 | TIPTON HILL | 2,661 | 89 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,514 | 87 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 99 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 81 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 84 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 99 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,237 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 4.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 4.2 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 4.0 in |
Forest City has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (3.7").