Weather & Climate in Granite Falls, NC

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

Granite Falls enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°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 47.2 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 1,128 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	59.0°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,128 ft (344 m)
Area	5.2 sq mi (13.6 km²)
Population Density	996/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7972°N, 81.4244°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Caldwell County County
Nearest Airport	Hickory Regional (HKY) 4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.2"

24% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.80"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.58"

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

32 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	123 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	106 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	133 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	64 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	86 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	60 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	69 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	46 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	137 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	83 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	100 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	132 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	88 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	120 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	66 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	147 km	5 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	82 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	60 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	24 km	6 km
Jul 8, 2023	Virginia-North Carolina border region	M2.6	121 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 2	75 mph	255 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	126 km

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

Tornado History

294 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 250 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	9 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	92 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	39 km	14.0 mi	4
May 8, 2008	EF3	96 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	97 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	79 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	95 km	1.9 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	46 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	69 km	8.7 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	85 km	6.2 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	7 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	81 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	58 km	3.2 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	77 km	5.9 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	90 km	2.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	16 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	60 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	83 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	26 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	29 km	2.6 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	43 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	82 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	45 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	29 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	18 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	72 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	42 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	63 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	39 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	81 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	93 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	71 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	46 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	50 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	65 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	78 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	39 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	51 km
2001	OAK MT. FIRE	1,677	69 km
2007	UNNAMED	1,617	92 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	41°F (5°C)	3.9 in
March	49°F (10°C)	4.8 in	Wettest
April	57°F (14°C)	3.6 in
May	65°F (19°C)	4.5 in
June	73°F (23°C)	4.5 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	4.1 in
September	69°F (21°C)	4.2 in
October	58°F (15°C)	3.8 in
November	49°F (9°C)	3.6 in	Driest
December	41°F (5°C)	3.7 in

Granite Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and November the driest (3.6").

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