Weather & Climate in Glenwood, NC

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

Glenwood enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°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 51.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,298 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.9°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,298 ft (396 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density	112/sq mi
Coordinates	35.6158°N, 81.9828°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Rutherford County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 25 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.5"

36% above US avg

Snowfall 4.5"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.16"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.86"

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

49 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	111 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	134 km	2 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	132 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	81 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	147 km	14 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	109 km	9 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	148 km	17 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	148 km	21 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	148 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	141 km	7 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	17 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	31 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	99 km	10 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	132 km	16 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	68 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	148 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	46 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	67 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	80 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	39 km	6 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	130 km

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

Tornado History

270 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 20 fatalities, 360 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	61 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	60 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	40 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	85 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	88 km	15.8 mi	6
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	98 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	73 km	1.9 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	94 km	22.7 mi	2
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	89 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	95 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	71 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	72 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	55 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	60 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	34 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	45 km	4.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	99 km	8.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	86 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	46 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	75 km	2.5 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	29 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	28 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	92 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	24 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	30 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	80 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	37 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	23 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	26 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	17 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	85 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	33 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	56 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	93 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	23 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	74 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	28 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	17 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	23 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	69 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	41°F (5°C)	4.2 in
March	49°F (10°C)	5.2 in	Wettest
April	57°F (14°C)	3.9 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.8 in
June	72°F (22°C)	4.6 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.3 in
September	68°F (20°C)	4.1 in
October	58°F (14°C)	4.1 in
November	49°F (9°C)	4.1 in
December	41°F (5°C)	3.9 in	Driest

Glenwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and December the driest (3.9").

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