Weather & Climate in Marion, NC

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

Marion enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 76°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 56.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,323 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	57.9°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,323 ft (403 m)
Area	6.8 sq mi (17.6 km²)
Population Density	1,118/sq mi
Coordinates	35.6776°N, 82.0013°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	McDowell County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.6"

49% above US avg

Snowfall 7.1"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.12"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.66"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	59.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	66.3 / 100
Community Resilience	29.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively 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 Moderate
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	125 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	110 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	128 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	80 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	111 km	9 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	145 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	144 km	14 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	143 km	21 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	24 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	92 km	10 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	23 km	9 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	138 km	7 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	125 km	16 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	62 km	9 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	40 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	61 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	79 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	44 km	6 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	20 km	9 km
Aug 4, 2017	8 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M2.7	144 km	10 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 2	98 mph	136 km

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

Tornado History

252 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 354 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	60 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	45 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	67 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	83 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	79 km	13.6 mi	2
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	66 km	1.9 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	100 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	94 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	100 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	77 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	56 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	79 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	67 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	47 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	41 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	79 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	93 km	8.8 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	49 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	76 km	2.5 mi	0
May 9, 2008	EF2	88 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	23 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	32 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	95 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	18 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	32 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	76 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	38 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	20 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	21 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	11 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	81 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	28 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	49 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	100 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	90 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	19 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	68 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	21 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	11 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	17 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	39°F (4°C)	4.1 in
March	47°F (8°C)	5.1 in	Wettest
April	55°F (13°C)	4.1 in
May	62°F (17°C)	4.8 in
June	69°F (21°C)	4.6 in
July	76°F (24°C)	4.4 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	4.4 in
September	66°F (19°C)	4.1 in
October	56°F (13°C)	3.9 in
November	47°F (8°C)	4.1 in
December	40°F (4°C)	3.7 in	Driest

Marion has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 39°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.1") and December the driest (3.7").

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