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Weather & Climate in Montreat, NC

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

Montreat enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 38°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 53.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,709 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average56.2°F
4% above US avg
January Average38°F (4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,709 ft (826 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density174/sq mi
Coordinates35.6480°N, 82.2992°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyBuncombe County County
Nearest AirportAsheville Regional (AVL)
20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.8"
42% above US avg
Snowfall 2.1"
Wettest Month (Mar) 5.35"
Driest Month (Dec) 3.86"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score89.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability35.0 / 100
Community Resilience70.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Very High
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

75 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Jul 30, 1997 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee M3.8 148 km 23 km
Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 83 km 1 km
Jun 26, 1995 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia M3.4 143 km 2 km
Feb 12, 1994 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia M3.4 131 km 5 km
Mar 5, 2019 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee M3.4 148 km 17 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 52 km 0 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 120 km 17 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 119 km 14 km
Jun 5, 1998 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina M3.2 137 km 9 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 122 km 21 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 32 km 2 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 103 km 10 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 26 km 9 km
Apr 13, 2001 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee M3.0 135 km 0 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 113 km 7 km
Jul 17, 2019 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee M3.0 147 km 13 km
Aug 25, 2013 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina M2.9 81 km 9 km
Apr 5, 2005 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee M2.9 137 km 10 km
Aug 14, 2009 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia M2.9 124 km 16 km
Mar 6, 2006 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina M2.8 30 km 4 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 152 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

239 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 408 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 7, 1998 EF4 87 km 4.0 mi 0
May 5, 1989 EF4 68 km 14.0 mi 4
May 5, 1989 EF4 72 km 15.0 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 63 km 15.8 mi 6
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 63 km 13.6 mi 2
Jul 10, 1980 EF3 62 km 1.9 mi 0
May 27, 1973 EF3 98 km 60.2 mi 0
May 10, 1952 EF3 94 km 22.7 mi 2
Apr 25, 2020 EF2 85 km 5.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 83 km 8.0 mi 0
Feb 6, 2020 EF2 96 km 8.7 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 80 km 3.0 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 83 km 4.9 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 79 km 4.9 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 56 km 3.8 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 74 km 4.2 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 87 km 12.0 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 80 km 8.8 mi 0
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 75 km 2.6 mi 0
May 7, 1998 EF2 80 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 44 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 20 km
2016 PINNACLE MOUNTAIN 7,869 76 km
2007 LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) 7,151 40 km
2016 CHESTNUT KNOB 6,418 58 km
2016 SILVER MINE 6,082 53 km
1985 UNNAMED 4,610 65 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 10 km
2017 WHITE CREEK 4,166 43 km
2016 CLEAR CREEK 3,493 19 km
2001 LARMAN 3,072 58 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,976 50 km
2000 TIPTON HILL 2,661 47 km
2016 HALLS TOP 2,464 80 km
2010 BROWN GAP CREEK-A 2,210 64 km
2013 LOST BEAR EAST 2,167 11 km
2007 UNNAMED 2,026 55 km
2008 SUNRISE 1,906 41 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,879 32 km
2018 UNNAMED 1,812 20 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 38°F (4°C) 4.3 in Coldest
February 39°F (4°C) 4.3 in
March 46°F (8°C) 5.4 in Wettest
April 54°F (12°C) 4.1 in
May 61°F (16°C) 5.0 in
June 68°F (20°C) 4.8 in
July 73°F (23°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 4.7 in
September 65°F (19°C) 4.1 in
October 55°F (13°C) 3.9 in
November 47°F (8°C) 4.3 in
December 39°F (4°C) 3.9 in Driest

Montreat has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 38°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.4") and December the driest (3.9").

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