Weather & Climate in Lake Lure, NC

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

Lake Lure enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°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 59.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,385 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	58.6°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,385 ft (422 m)
Area	14.6 sq mi (37.8 km²)
Population Density	113/sq mi
Coordinates	35.4484°N, 82.2022°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Polk County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 59.3"

56% above US avg

Snowfall 3.1"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.51"

Driest Month (Apr) 4.06"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	36.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	84.7 / 100
Community Resilience	29.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively High

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

Earthquake History

56 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.

Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	91 km	1 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	62 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	129 km	9 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	137 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	135 km	14 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	143 km	21 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	130 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	11 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	49 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	128 km	7 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	121 km	10 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	147 km	16 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	93 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	129 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	53 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	73 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	61 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	15 km	6 km
Aug 4, 2017	8 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M2.7	135 km	10 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	15 km	9 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 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	130 km

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

Tornado History

291 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 421 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	88 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	48 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	56 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	86 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	85 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	85 km	1.9 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	78 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	72 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	87 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	64 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	68 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	78 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	56 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	80 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	57 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	92 km	8.4 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	39 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	69 km	4.2 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	66 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	99 km	2.5 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	54 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	4 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	64 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	49 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	53 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	74 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	63 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	29 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	52 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	31 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	79 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	59 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	69 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	97 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	81 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	29 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	79 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	52 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	41 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	37 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	4.5 in	Coldest
February	40°F (5°C)	4.4 in
March	48°F (9°C)	5.5 in	Wettest
April	55°F (13°C)	4.1 in	Driest
May	63°F (17°C)	5.0 in
June	70°F (21°C)	4.8 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.6 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	4.8 in
September	67°F (19°C)	4.2 in
October	57°F (14°C)	4.2 in
November	48°F (9°C)	4.3 in
December	40°F (5°C)	4.1 in

Lake Lure has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.5") and April the driest (4.1").

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