Weather & Climate in Polkville, NC

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

Polkville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°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 50.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,081 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.2°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,081 ft (329 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²)
Population Density	291/sq mi
Coordinates	35.4163°N, 81.6440°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Cleveland County County
Nearest Airport	Hickory Regional (HKY) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.4"

33% above US avg

Snowfall 4.0"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.96"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	70.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	44.1 / 100
Community Resilience	33.3 / 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	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

33 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Apr 13, 1998	9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina	M3.9	142 km	7 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	142 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	149 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	113 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	79 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	132 km	2 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	65 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	41 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	121 km	10 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	83 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	132 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	83 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	105 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	112 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	52 km	6 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	38 km	9 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	120 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	107 km	2 km
Mar 14, 2015	3 km SE of Cherokee, North Carolina	M2.7	149 km	0 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	43 km	6 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	268 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	94 km

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

Tornado History

332 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 290 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	56 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	96 km	13.0 mi	1
May 5, 1989	EF4	8 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	46 km	15.0 mi	2
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	88 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	60 km	18.5 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	88 km	22.7 mi	2
May 26, 2022	EF2	87 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	90 km	5.5 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	98 km	6.2 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	34 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	59 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	34 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	43 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	89 km	3.2 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	89 km	2.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	15 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	31 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	79 km	5.8 mi	3
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	20 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	55 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	54 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	52 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	23 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	83 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	33 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	61 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	52 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	54 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	56 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	99 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	92 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	97 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	88 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	91 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	97 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	60 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,024	94 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,000	97 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,964	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	42°F (6°C)	4.1 in
March	50°F (10°C)	5.0 in	Wettest
April	58°F (14°C)	3.5 in	Driest
May	66°F (19°C)	4.4 in
June	73°F (23°C)	4.5 in
July	78°F (26°C)	4.2 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	4.3 in
September	70°F (21°C)	3.9 in
October	59°F (15°C)	3.7 in
November	50°F (10°C)	3.6 in
December	42°F (5°C)	3.9 in

Polkville has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and April the driest (3.5").

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