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Weather & Climate in Lake Santeetlah, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lake Santeetlah enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 74°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 56.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,099 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 56.8°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,099 ft (640 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 611/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3640°N, 83.8664°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Graham County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 20.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 71.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 21.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
176 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 | 23 km | 25 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 120 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 131 km | 23 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 27 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 80 km | 11 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 143 km | 1 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 97 km | 3 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 62 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 104 km | 17 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 42 km | 2 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 56 km | 20 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 98 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 52 km | 14 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 93 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 73 km | 14 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 52 km | 25 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 76 km | 17 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 92 km | 7 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 90 km | 18 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 1 | — | 263 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
227 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 32 fatalities, 553 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 25 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 61 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 85 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 83 km | 4.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 78 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 47 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 99 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 29, 1997 | EF3 | 97 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 84 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 90 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 58 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 72 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 81 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 89 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 86 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 1986 | EF3 | 88 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 69 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 93 km | 21.2 mi | 3 |
| Apr 15, 1965 | EF3 | 93 km | 10.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF2 | 68 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROUGH RIDGE (27,610 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROUGH RIDGE | 27,610 | 83 km |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 52 km |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY TOPS 2 | 14,998 | 49 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 26 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 37 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 23 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 7 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 40 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 25 km |
| 2024 | RX - O63 CHESTNUT MTN | 4,570 | 76 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 25 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,888 | 25 km |
| 2021 | DUTCH CREEK | 3,845 | 73 km |
| 2019 | COW CAMP | 3,786 | 20 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,539 | 95 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,298 | 86 km |
| 2016 | CAMP BRANCH | 3,234 | 35 km |
| 2023 | PANTHER KNOB | 3,170 | 38 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 38 km |
| 2016 | SR116-DEVONIA | 3,077 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 5.4 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 6.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 5.4 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 5.0 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 6.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 4.9 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 5.4 in |
Lake Santeetlah has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 38°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 62.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.4") and October the driest (3.7").