Weather & Climate in Old Fort, NC

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

Old Fort enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 74°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 55.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,445 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	55.6°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,445 ft (440 m)
Area	1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density	527/sq mi
Coordinates	35.6303°N, 82.1780°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	McDowell County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 55.9"

47% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.35"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.86"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	59.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	66.3 / 100
Community Resilience	29.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

67 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.

Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	94 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	140 km	2 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	131 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	63 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	126 km	9 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	130 km	14 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	131 km	17 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	132 km	21 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	150 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	101 km	10 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	124 km	7 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	18 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	29 km	2 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	144 km	0 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	75 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	127 km	16 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	148 km	10 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	149 km	7 km
Jul 11, 2000	7 km WSW of Seymour, Tennessee	M2.8	149 km	10 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	35 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 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	143 km

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

Tornado History

249 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 403 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	77 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	65 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	57 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	71 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	73 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	65 km	1.9 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	98 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	93 km	22.7 mi	2
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	84 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	86 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	86 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	75 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	72 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	71 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	63 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	47 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	87 km	8.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	86 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	93 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	64 km	2.6 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	37 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	19 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	81 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	32 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	47 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	63 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	54 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	9 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	35 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	12 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	69 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	42 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	49 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	91 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	76 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	9 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	62 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	34 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	24 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	16 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°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	74°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

Old Fort has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 37°F in January to 74°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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