Weather & Climate in Lenoir, NC

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

Lenoir enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°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 49.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. 96% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,202 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.9°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,202 ft (366 m)
Area	19.6 sq mi (50.9 km²)
Population Density	878/sq mi
Coordinates	35.9077°N, 81.5248°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Caldwell County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.7"

31% above US avg

Snowfall 4.1"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.72"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.54"

Air Quality

AQI Median	34.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	95.8%
Unhealthy Days	0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	67.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	45.0 / 100
Community Resilience	30.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

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

Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	108 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	94 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	127 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	78 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	71 km	10 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	69 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	51 km	2 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	143 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	121 km	16 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	31 km	9 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	147 km	11 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	73 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	88 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	126 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	90 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	115 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	66 km	9 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	67 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	55 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	18 km	6 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 2	75 mph	267 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	140 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	14 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	49 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	99 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	91 km	19.6 mi	3
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	94 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	81 km	1.9 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	52 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	82 km	8.7 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	98 km	6.2 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	90 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	22 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	83 km	5.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	68 km	3.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	28 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	67 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	68 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	40 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	41 km	2.6 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	85 km	4.9 mi	0
May 9, 2008	EF2	80 km	18.2 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	34 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	81 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	37 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	34 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	23 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	66 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	33 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	57 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	28 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	69 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	78 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	65 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	93 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	37 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	44 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	58 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	64 km
2013	CALIFORNIA CREEK	1,758	89 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	44 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	44 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	3.8 in	Coldest
February	40°F (5°C)	3.9 in
March	48°F (9°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
April	56°F (14°C)	3.9 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.6 in
June	72°F (22°C)	4.5 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.1 in
September	68°F (20°C)	4.3 in
October	57°F (14°C)	3.8 in
November	48°F (9°C)	3.6 in
December	40°F (4°C)	3.5 in	Driest

Lenoir has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 38°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.7") and December the driest (3.5").

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