Weather & Climate in Nebo, NC

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

Nebo enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°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 51.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,242 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.9°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,242 ft (379 m)
Area	5.3 sq mi (13.7 km²)
Population Density	303/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7158°N, 81.9139°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Burke County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.5"

36% above US avg

Snowfall 4.5"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.00"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.66"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	70.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	67.8 / 100
Community Resilience	30.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

41 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	121 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	119 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	122 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	88 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	104 km	9 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	148 km	21 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	145 km	7 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	87 km	10 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	30 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	24 km	2 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	55 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	123 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	44 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	64 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	87 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	51 km	6 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	88 km	11 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	27 km	9 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	95 km	2 km
Mar 14, 2015	3 km SE of Cherokee, North Carolina	M2.7	127 km	0 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 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1996	Fran	Category 1	75 mph	297 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	135 km

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

Tornado History

251 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 340 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	51 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	71 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	41 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	88 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	83 km	13.6 mi	2
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	99 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	67 km	1.9 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	91 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	75 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	69 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	47 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	83 km	3.0 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	39 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	42 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	75 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	95 km	8.8 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	68 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	44 km	2.6 mi	0
May 9, 2008	EF2	84 km	18.2 mi	0
Nov 15, 2006	EF2	78 km	1.0 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	17 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	40 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	12 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	26 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	82 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	30 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	27 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	14 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	18 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	87 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	21 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	50 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	94 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	98 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	26 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	71 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	16 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	9 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	22 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	60 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	41°F (5°C)	4.1 in
March	48°F (9°C)	5.0 in	Wettest
April	56°F (13°C)	4.0 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.8 in
June	71°F (22°C)	4.6 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.2 in
September	68°F (20°C)	4.1 in
October	58°F (14°C)	4.0 in
November	49°F (9°C)	3.9 in
December	41°F (5°C)	3.7 in	Driest

Nebo has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and December the driest (3.7").

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