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Weather & Climate in Pinnacle, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pinnacle enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,038 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.4°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,038 ft (316 m) |
| Area | 3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 115/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.3228°N, 80.4232°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Stokes County County |
| Nearest Airport | Piedmont Triad International (GSO) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 53.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 20.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 106 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 130 km | 18 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 92 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 110 km | 13 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 113 km | 9 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 87 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 117 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 108 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 113 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 51 km | 0 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 118 km | 11 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 61 km | 2 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 127 km | 6 km |
| Mar 28, 2001 | 2 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.6 | 115 km | 0 km |
| Jul 8, 2023 | Virginia-North Carolina border region | M2.6 | 53 km | 4 km |
| Feb 4, 2021 | 1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina | M2.6 | 66 km | 2 km |
| Jun 17, 2023 | 2 km N of Pembroke, Virginia | M2.6 | 115 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 247 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 199 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 294 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 191 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
218 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 207 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 100 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 76 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 51 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 38 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 34 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 41 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 29 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 28 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 97 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 63 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 44 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 93 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 67 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 7 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 38 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 67 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF2 | 68 km | 12.5 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 88 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 96 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BULL MOUNTAIN (3,300 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 47 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,194 | 83 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,388 | 90 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,171 | 94 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,124 | 83 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,107 | 94 km |
| 2021 | GRINDSTONE | 1,106 | 5 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,064 | 76 km |
| 2011 | LUMBER PLANT | 779 | 46 km |
| 2000 | MERRITT CK | 750 | 49 km |
| 2006 | CHESTNUT | 737 | 89 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 644 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 3.5 in |
Pinnacle has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 38°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and November the driest (3.2").