Weather & Climate in Kingstown, NC

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

Kingstown 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 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 50.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 920 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.2°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	920 ft (280 m)
Area	1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²)
Population Density	284/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3621°N, 81.6201°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Cleveland County County
Nearest Airport	Hickory Regional (HKY) 29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.4"

33% above US avg

Snowfall 4.0"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.96"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	70.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	44.1 / 100
Community Resilience	33.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
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 High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Apr 13, 1998	9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina	M3.9	136 km	7 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	144 km	1 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	116 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	79 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	127 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	127 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	71 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	45 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	89 km	9 km
Feb 18, 2005	7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina	M2.9	146 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	127 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	89 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	110 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	115 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	53 km	6 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	42 km	9 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	126 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	111 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	50 km	6 km
Feb 4, 2021	1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina	M2.6	133 km	2 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	266 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	88 km

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

Tornado History

343 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 380 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	61 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	42 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	91 km	13.0 mi	1
May 5, 1989	EF4	13 km	14.0 mi	4
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	82 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	55 km	18.5 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	95 km	12.0 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	99 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	85 km	22.7 mi	2
May 26, 2022	EF2	89 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	88 km	5.5 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	28 km	8.7 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	97 km	6.2 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	47 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	29 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	55 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	100 km	22.3 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	90 km	3.2 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	86 km	2.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	35 km	4.2 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	61 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	58 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	58 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	29 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	76 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	38 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	66 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	58 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	60 km
2010	C-94-95 133 RX	3,192	99 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	62 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	93 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	98 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	91 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,458	95 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	82 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	85 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,274	95 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	91 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	65 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	42°F (6°C)	4.1 in
March	50°F (10°C)	5.0 in	Wettest
April	58°F (14°C)	3.5 in	Driest
May	66°F (19°C)	4.4 in
June	73°F (23°C)	4.5 in
July	78°F (26°C)	4.2 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	4.3 in
September	70°F (21°C)	3.9 in
October	59°F (15°C)	3.7 in
November	50°F (10°C)	3.6 in
December	42°F (5°C)	3.9 in

Kingstown has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and April the driest (3.5").

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