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Weather & Climate in Mars Hill, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Mars Hill experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°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 41.6 inches. The area receives 25.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,350 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 54.4°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,350 ft (716 m) |
| Area | 2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,304/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.8282°N, 82.5486°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Madison County County |
| Nearest Airport | Asheville Regional (AVL) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 27.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very 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 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
111 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 | 134 km | 25 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 144 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 118 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 149 km | 35 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 69 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 140 km | 2 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 119 km | 17 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 132 km | 2 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 142 km | 14 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 40 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 92 km | 14 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 93 km | 17 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 92 km | 21 km |
| Sep 24, 1991 | 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 142 km | 13 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 105 km | 0 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 86 km | 7 km |
| Nov 10, 1992 | 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 42 km | 2 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 | 182 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
151 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 262 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 96 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 33 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 34 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 45 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 97 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 86 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 80 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 53 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF2 | 56 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF2 | 98 km | 45.4 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF2 | 79 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1979 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1976 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1976 | EF2 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1975 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 1975 | EF2 | 80 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 92 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF2 | 47 km | 16.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHIMNEY TOPS 2 (14,998 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY TOPS 2 | 14,998 | 88 km |
| 2000 | BRUSHY RIDGE | 12,405 | 59 km |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 48 km |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 87 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 57 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 84 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 24 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 90 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 88 km |
| 2022 | LOST BEAR RX FY2022 | 4,276 | 33 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 60 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 41 km |
| 2001 | LARMAN | 3,072 | 29 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 64 km |
| 2000 | TIPTON HILL | 2,661 | 37 km |
| 1998 | FOURNEY CREEK | 2,579 | 97 km |
| 2016 | HALLS TOP | 2,464 | 54 km |
| 2010 | BROWN GAP CREEK-A | 2,210 | 40 km |
| 2013 | LOST BEAR EAST | 2,167 | 34 km |
| 2022 | INDIGO LANE | 2,149 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 in |
Mars Hill has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 35°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.6") and October the driest (2.8").