Weather & Climate in Laurel Park, NC

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

Laurel Park 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 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 51.4 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 2,731 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	55.4°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,731 ft (832 m)
Area	2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density	848/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3115°N, 82.5036°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Henderson County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.4"

35% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.34"

Driest Month (Apr) 4.65"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	69.3 / 100
Community Resilience	40.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

80 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	137 km	25 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	67 km	1 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	148 km	3 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	143 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	45 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	122 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	120 km	14 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	136 km	21 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	120 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	43 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	145 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	73 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	113 km	7 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	121 km	9 km
Jul 11, 1990	1 km NW of Alcoa, Tennessee	M2.9	145 km	17 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	142 km	10 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	119 km	7 km
Jul 11, 2000	7 km W of Seymour, Tennessee	M2.8	134 km	5 km
Jul 5, 1996	7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina	M2.8	136 km	5 km
Apr 14, 2005	19 km SE of Vonore, Tennessee	M2.8	145 km	16 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	145 km

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

Tornado History

286 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 456 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	58 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	86 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	94 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	85 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	90 km	13.6 mi	2
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	100 km	1.9 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	61 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	61 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	59 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	48 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	41 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	60 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	74 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	65 km	8.4 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	100 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	65 km	3.8 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	96 km	2.6 mi	0
Aug 26, 2008	EF2	86 km	5.5 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	59 km	3.7 mi	0
Jan 7, 1998	EF2	58 km	1.5 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	99 km
2016	CHIMNEY TOPS 2	14,998	100 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	99 km
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	83 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	30 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	35 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	78 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	84 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	71 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	89 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	94 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	51 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	81 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	58 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	97 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	98 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	75 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	88 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	87 km
1998	FOURNEY CREEK	2,579	96 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	5.3 in	Coldest
February	39°F (4°C)	5.1 in
March	46°F (8°C)	6.3 in	Wettest
April	54°F (12°C)	4.7 in	Driest
May	61°F (16°C)	5.7 in
June	68°F (20°C)	5.5 in
July	73°F (23°C)	5.5 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	5.6 in
September	66°F (19°C)	4.9 in
October	55°F (13°C)	5.0 in
November	47°F (8°C)	5.3 in
December	39°F (4°C)	5.2 in

Laurel Park has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 37°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 64.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and April the driest (4.7").

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