Weather & Climate in Moravian Falls, NC

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

Moravian Falls 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 299 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 52.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,146 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.8°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,146 ft (349 m)
Area	5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²)
Population Density	198/sq mi
Coordinates	36.1088°N, 81.1864°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Wilkes County County
Nearest Airport	Statesville Regional (SVH) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.5"

38% above US avg

Snowfall 7.6"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.69"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.58"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	82.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	86.0 / 100
Community Resilience	26.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Low

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

Earthquake History

38 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	106 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	76 km	2 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	72 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	72 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	85 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	107 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	43 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	128 km	16 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	111 km	9 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	106 km	4 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	137 km	11 km
Jul 4, 2009	3 km E of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	141 km	0 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	117 km	3 km
Jul 15, 2021	10 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	130 km	20 km
May 12, 2017	6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	134 km	4 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	127 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	79 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	103 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	123 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2005	15 km E of Vansant, Virginia	M2.7	140 km	9 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 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	246 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	157 km

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

Tornado History

245 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 279 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	32 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	79 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	91 km	19.6 mi	3
May 8, 2008	EF3	74 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	73 km	2.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF3	84 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	82 km	3.5 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	28 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	84 km	1.9 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	88 km	6.2 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	45 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	52 km	5.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	50 km	3.2 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	69 km	16.1 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	57 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	97 km	12.5 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	79 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	68 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	45 km	2.5 mi	0
Mar 28, 2010	EF2	82 km	5.0 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	69 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	73 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	69 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	58 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	70 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	94 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	64 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	97 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	77 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,194	75 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	72 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	81 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	94 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	84 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	79 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	80 km
1987	HAMPTON	1,536	90 km
2007	UNNAMED	1,504	92 km
2016	HORTON	1,480	35 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,375	88 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	3.7 in	Coldest
February	40°F (4°C)	3.9 in
March	47°F (9°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
April	56°F (13°C)	3.9 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.6 in
June	71°F (22°C)	4.7 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.4 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.3 in
September	68°F (20°C)	4.3 in
October	57°F (14°C)	4.1 in
November	48°F (9°C)	3.7 in
December	40°F (4°C)	3.6 in	Driest

Moravian Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 38°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.7") and December the driest (3.6").

View full profile of Moravian Falls, NC →