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Weather & Climate in Murphy, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Murphy enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°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 55.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,571 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.2°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,571 ft (479 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 528/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.0943°N, 84.0249°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Cherokee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 56.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 9.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
180 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 | 50 km | 25 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 149 km | 35 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 30 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 100 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 73 km | 3 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 144 km | 1 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 88 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 136 km | 17 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 77 km | 14 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 51 km | 20 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 70 km | 2 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 91 km | 26 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 107 km | 14 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 89 km | 18 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 91 km | 7 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 109 km | 17 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 25 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 59 km | 25 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 134 km | 24 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 1 | — | 270 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
297 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 59 fatalities, 959 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 49 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 30 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 85 km | 17.7 mi | 6 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 83 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 64 km | 4.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 48 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 66 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 80 km | 4.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 29, 1997 | EF3 | 80 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1994 | EF3 | 92 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 71 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 58 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 68 km | 44.0 mi | 3 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 89 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 57 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 59 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 66 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 1986 | EF3 | 74 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 66 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 77 km | 21.2 mi | 3 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROUGH RIDGE (27,610 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROUGH RIDGE | 27,610 | 56 km |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 47 km |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY TOPS 2 | 14,998 | 81 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 46 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 32 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 29 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 34 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 69 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 39 km |
| 2024 | RX - O63 CHESTNUT MTN | 4,570 | 52 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 21 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,888 | 38 km |
| 2021 | DUTCH CREEK | 3,845 | 50 km |
| 2019 | COW CAMP | 3,786 | 39 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,298 | 53 km |
| 2016 | CAMP BRANCH | 3,234 | 44 km |
| 2023 | PANTHER KNOB | 3,170 | 42 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 7 km |
| 2010 | COW CAMP-A | 2,953 | 39 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,933 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 5.4 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.8 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 5.1 in |
Murphy has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (3.5").