Weather & Climate in Linville, NC

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

Linville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 298 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 64.8 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 3,688 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)

Annual Average	47.5°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days	298 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,688 ft (1,124 m)
Area	1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²)
Population Density	244/sq mi
Coordinates	36.0675°N, 81.8714°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Avery County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 64.8"

70% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.24"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	47.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	76.7 / 100
Community Resilience	50.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

49 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	82 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	84 km	2 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	135 km	1 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	105 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	113 km	9 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	139 km	21 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	47 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	29 km	2 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	141 km	0 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	148 km	7 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	68 km	9 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	146 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	22 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	89 km	16 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	125 km	11 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	45 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	55 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	105 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	89 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	125 km	0 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	167 km

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

Tornado History

208 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 317 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	49 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	71 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	84 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	65 km	19.6 mi	3
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	75 km	13.6 mi	2
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	45 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	87 km	8.4 mi	1
May 26, 2022	EF2	84 km	6.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	56 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	57 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	80 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	37 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	78 km	8.8 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	68 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	76 km	2.5 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	98 km	1.1 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	92 km	4.9 mi	0
Nov 15, 2006	EF2	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 2005	EF2	68 km	4.0 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	71 km	2.0 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	23 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	74 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	27 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	54 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	85 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	48 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	51 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	26 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	44 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	89 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	20 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	35 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	55 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	50 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	59 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	24 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	34 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	41 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	28 km
2013	CALIFORNIA CREEK	1,758	54 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	34°F (1°C)	4.1 in
March	41°F (5°C)	5.2 in	Wettest
April	49°F (9°C)	4.3 in
May	56°F (14°C)	5.0 in
June	63°F (17°C)	4.7 in
July	65°F (18°C)	4.7 in
August	66°F (19°C)	4.6 in	Warmest
September	61°F (16°C)	4.2 in
October	51°F (11°C)	3.9 in
November	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in
December	35°F (2°C)	3.5 in	Driest

Linville has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 29°F in January to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 52.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and December the driest (3.5").

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