Weather & Climate in Lake Junaluska, NC

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

Lake Junaluska experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°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 45.0 inches. The area receives 10.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,628 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	55.1°F
	2% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,628 ft (801 m)
Area	5.3 sq mi (13.7 km²)
Population Density	549/sq mi
Coordinates	35.5302°N, 82.9728°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Haywood County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 25 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.0"

18% above US avg

Snowfall 10.3"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.63"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	77.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.1 / 100
Community Resilience	52.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
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

134 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	92 km	25 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	121 km	23 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	138 km	35 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	110 km	10 km
Jun 17, 1998	9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee	M3.6	136 km	11 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	21 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	109 km	17 km
Apr 11, 2006	5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee	M3.3	138 km	20 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	95 km	2 km
Aug 31, 2009	2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee	M3.3	108 km	14 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	11 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	74 km	17 km
May 10, 2006	3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee	M3.2	129 km	25 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	72 km	14 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	131 km	5 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	93 km	21 km
Sep 24, 1991	6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	105 km	13 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	64 km	7 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	116 km	0 km
Nov 10, 1992	4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	106 km	10 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	194 km

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

Tornado History

178 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 270 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	98 km	14.5 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	69 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	58 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	93 km	1.9 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	98 km	60.2 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	76 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	88 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	69 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	87 km	8.4 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	88 km	8.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	99 km	16.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	90 km	3.7 mi	0
Jan 7, 1998	EF2	88 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 26, 1994	EF2	76 km	12.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF2	99 km	45.4 mi	0
Apr 4, 1989	EF2	96 km	5.0 mi	0
Apr 4, 1989	EF2	96 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 1979	EF2	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 28, 1976	EF2	29 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 18, 1976	EF2	52 km	1.0 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	78 km
2016	CHIMNEY TOPS 2	14,998	51 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	62 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	82 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	67 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	58 km
2016	MAPLE SPRINGS	7,696	88 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	45 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	44 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	71 km
2019	COW CAMP	3,786	100 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	81 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	66 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	70 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	46 km
2001	UNNAMED	2,662	96 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	88 km
1998	FOURNEY CREEK	2,579	52 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	41 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	83 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	4.7 in	Coldest
February	38°F (3°C)	4.7 in
March	45°F (7°C)	5.6 in	Wettest
April	52°F (11°C)	4.3 in
May	60°F (15°C)	5.0 in
June	66°F (19°C)	4.7 in
July	73°F (23°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	4.8 in
September	64°F (18°C)	4.1 in
October	54°F (12°C)	3.4 in	Driest
November	45°F (7°C)	4.3 in
December	38°F (3°C)	4.4 in

Lake Junaluska has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 37°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.6") and October the driest (3.4").

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