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Weather & Climate in Jefferson, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Jefferson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 299 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 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,905 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 51.1°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,905 ft (885 m) |
| Area | 2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 878/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.4206°N, 81.4683°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Ashe County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 66.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 84.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
38 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 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 37 km | 2 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 114 km | 9 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 135 km | 18 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 34 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 82 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 118 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 33 km | 9 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 93 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 89 km | 16 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 96 km | 4 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 95 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 99 km | 3 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 108 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 110 km | 4 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 139 km | 6 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 74 km | 0 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 24 km | 11 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 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 284 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 194 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
162 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 158 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 62 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 50 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 83 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 63 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 70 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 76 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 93 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 93 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 88 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 85 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 47 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 41 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2005 | EF2 | 71 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2005 | EF2 | 80 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.0 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 | 73 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 77 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 91 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 99 km |
| 1987 | KIWIS CREEK | 4,879 | 94 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 80 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 75 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 97 km |
| 1991 | JOHNSON HOLLOW | 2,987 | 90 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 68 km |
| 2000 | TIPTON HILL | 2,661 | 82 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,242 | 36 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,194 | 50 km |
| 2008 | SUNRISE | 1,906 | 75 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,879 | 85 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,812 | 94 km |
| 2016 | RAILROAD GRADE 2016 | 1,790 | 62 km |
| 2013 | CALIFORNIA CREEK | 1,758 | 95 km |
| 2017 | DOBSON KNOB | 1,720 | 83 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,617 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 4.7 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.5 in |
Jefferson has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 33°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (3.5").