Weather & Climate in Highlands, NC

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

Highlands experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 302 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 88.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 3,849 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	50.9°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,849 ft (1,173 m)
Area	6.2 sq mi (15.9 km²)
Population Density	204/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0538°N, 83.1976°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Macon County County
Nearest Airport	Oconee County Regional (CEU) 32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 88.3"

132% above US avg

Snowfall 10.2"

Wettest Month (Mar) 7.87"

Driest Month (Oct) 5.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	73.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	73.7 / 100
Community Resilience	21.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively High

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

Earthquake History

128 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	90 km	25 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	93 km	10 km
Jun 17, 1998	9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee	M3.6	147 km	11 km
Jul 19, 1997	12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia	M3.5	147 km	3 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	139 km	3 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	51 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	146 km	17 km
Aug 31, 2009	2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee	M3.3	116 km	14 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	104 km	2 km
Apr 11, 2006	5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee	M3.3	122 km	20 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	66 km	0 km
May 10, 2006	3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee	M3.2	121 km	25 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	110 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	107 km	14 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	100 km	5 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	139 km	21 km
Oct 30, 1991	9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia	M3.1	139 km	8 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	132 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	100 km	7 km
Sep 24, 1991	6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	110 km	13 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	195 km

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

Tornado History

284 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 430 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	94 km	14.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	50 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	81 km	37.0 mi	1
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	99 km	4.0 mi	12
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	44 km	28.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	93 km	23.0 mi	3
Nov 22, 1992	EF3	86 km	10.0 mi	1
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	61 km	8.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	82 km	1.0 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	77 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	91 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	40 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	76 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	49 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	51 km	8.4 mi	0
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	97 km	21.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	94 km	16.9 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	70 km	9.5 mi	0
Aug 26, 2008	EF2	64 km	5.5 mi	0
Aug 29, 2005	EF2	63 km	5.0 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	30 km
2016	CHIMNEY TOPS 2	14,998	76 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	45 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	43 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	99 km
2024	RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE	8,324	90 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	43 km
2016	MAPLE SPRINGS	7,696	77 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	55 km
2024	RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE	5,154	95 km
2013	BEAVER DAM	4,336	87 km
2021	UNNAMED	3,888	94 km
2019	COW CAMP	3,786	90 km
2014	UNNAMED	3,298	98 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	36 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	34 km
2019	JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX	3,120	83 km
2010	COW CAMP-A	2,953	90 km
2013	MCINTYRE-A	2,695	87 km
2001	UNNAMED	2,662	96 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	6.7 in	Coldest
February	37°F (3°C)	6.3 in
March	44°F (7°C)	7.9 in	Wettest
April	52°F (11°C)	5.8 in
May	59°F (15°C)	6.9 in
June	65°F (19°C)	6.3 in
July	68°F (20°C)	6.3 in
August	68°F (20°C)	6.1 in	Warmest
September	63°F (17°C)	6.0 in
October	54°F (12°C)	5.6 in	Driest
November	45°F (7°C)	6.9 in
December	38°F (3°C)	6.7 in

Highlands has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 33°F in January to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 77.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (7.9") and October the driest (5.6").

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