Weather & Climate in Gamewell, NC

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

Gamewell enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 310 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 49.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,052 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.9°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,052 ft (321 m)
Area	8.1 sq mi (21.0 km²)
Population Density	456/sq mi
Coordinates	35.8640°N, 81.5978°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Caldwell County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.7"

31% above US avg

Snowfall 4.1"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.72"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.54"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	67.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	45.0 / 100
Community Resilience	30.1 / 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	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

31 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	110 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	99 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	119 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	81 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	73 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	44 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	61 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	34 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	121 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	67 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	83 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	119 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	82 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	123 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	58 km	9 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	70 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	63 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	10 km	6 km
Jan 15, 2017	8 km NW of Rogersville, Tennessee	M2.6	149 km	23 km
Jul 8, 2023	Virginia-North Carolina border region	M2.6	124 km	4 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	272 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	137 km

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

Tornado History

267 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 278 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	20 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	44 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	92 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	93 km	19.6 mi	3
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	93 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	77 km	1.9 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	60 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	78 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	84 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	23 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	74 km	3.2 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	90 km	5.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	60 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	25 km	4.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	68 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	44 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	37 km	2.6 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	92 km	4.9 mi	0
May 9, 2008	EF2	78 km	18.2 mi	0
Nov 15, 2006	EF2	60 km	1.0 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	27 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	73 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	29 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	28 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	18 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	58 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	26 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	49 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	22 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	64 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	81 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	58 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	88 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	30 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	36 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	50 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	61 km
2013	CALIFORNIA CREEK	1,758	84 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	37 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	36 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	3.8 in	Coldest
February	40°F (5°C)	3.9 in
March	48°F (9°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
April	56°F (14°C)	3.9 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.6 in
June	72°F (22°C)	4.5 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.1 in
September	68°F (20°C)	4.3 in
October	57°F (14°C)	3.8 in
November	48°F (9°C)	3.6 in
December	40°F (4°C)	3.5 in	Driest

Gamewell has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 38°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.7") and December the driest (3.5").

View full profile of Gamewell, NC →