Weather & Climate in Forest Hills, NC

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

Forest Hills 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 2,250 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	56.1°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,250 ft (686 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	732/sq mi
Coordinates	35.2958°N, 83.1954°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Jackson County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 38 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 Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	89.2 / 100
Community Resilience	38.9 / 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

140 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	77 km	25 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	147 km	35 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	139 km	23 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	88 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	24 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	117 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	43 km	0 km
May 10, 2006	3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee	M3.2	112 km	25 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	85 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	82 km	14 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	103 km	5 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	113 km	21 km
Oct 30, 1991	9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia	M3.1	145 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	75 km	7 km
Nov 10, 1992	4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	93 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	202 km

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

Tornado History

229 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 232 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	82 km	14.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	76 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	98 km	37.0 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	89 km	15.8 mi	6
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	69 km	28.0 mi	0
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	84 km	8.0 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	91 km	60.2 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	59 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	71 km	8.4 mi	0
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	100 km	21.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	83 km	16.9 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	97 km	9.5 mi	0
Aug 26, 2008	EF2	87 km	5.5 mi	0
Aug 29, 2005	EF2	83 km	5.0 mi	0
Jan 7, 1998	EF2	77 km	1.5 mi	0
Sep 16, 1996	EF2	83 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 26, 1994	EF2	52 km	12.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF2	84 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	45 km
2016	CHIMNEY TOPS 2	14,998	52 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	36 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	50 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	89 km
2024	RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE	8,324	84 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	51 km
2016	MAPLE SPRINGS	7,696	68 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	77 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	33 km
2024	RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE	5,154	86 km
2013	BEAVER DAM	4,336	84 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	100 km
2021	UNNAMED	3,888	86 km
2019	COW CAMP	3,786	81 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	35 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	38 km
2019	JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX	3,120	86 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	77 km
2010	COW CAMP-A	2,953	81 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

Forest Hills 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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