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Weather & Climate in Royal Pines, NC

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

Royal Pines enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 310 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 49.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,438 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average57.3°F
6% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,438 ft (743 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density1,671/sq mi
Coordinates35.4788°N, 82.5023°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyBuncombe County County
Nearest AirportAsheville Regional (AVL)
4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.6"
31% above US avg
Snowfall 10.3"
Wettest Month (Mar) 5.47"
Driest Month (Oct) 3.86"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score89.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability35.0 / 100
Community Resilience70.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Very High
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

91 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

May 10, 2025 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee M4.1 135 km 25 km
Jul 30, 1997 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee M3.8 148 km 23 km
Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 64 km 1 km
Mar 5, 2019 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee M3.4 144 km 17 km
Apr 20, 2010 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee M3.3 138 km 2 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 35 km 0 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 109 km 14 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 111 km 17 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 121 km 21 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina M3.0 138 km 2 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 103 km 7 km
Apr 13, 2001 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee M3.0 139 km 0 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 58 km 2 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 38 km 9 km
Sep 24, 1991 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 148 km 13 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 128 km 10 km
Nov 10, 1992 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 149 km 10 km
Jul 17, 2019 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee M3.0 145 km 13 km
Jul 11, 1990 1 km NW of Alcoa, Tennessee M2.9 139 km 17 km
Apr 5, 2005 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee M2.9 131 km 10 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 4 138 mph 154 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

250 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 18 fatalities, 402 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1989 EF4 68 km 15.0 mi 2
May 5, 1989 EF4 84 km 14.0 mi 4
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 68 km 15.8 mi 6
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 72 km 13.6 mi 2
Jul 10, 1980 EF3 81 km 1.9 mi 0
May 27, 1973 EF3 79 km 60.2 mi 0
May 10, 1952 EF3 79 km 22.7 mi 2
Mar 23, 2022 EF2 76 km 6.3 mi 0
Apr 25, 2020 EF2 66 km 5.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 59 km 8.0 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 73 km 3.0 mi 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 81 km 4.9 mi 0
Oct 8, 2017 EF2 83 km 8.4 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 66 km 3.8 mi 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 94 km 4.2 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 92 km 8.8 mi 0
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 93 km 2.6 mi 0
May 7, 1998 EF2 50 km 3.7 mi 0
May 7, 1998 EF2 98 km 2.0 mi 0
Jan 7, 1998 EF2 76 km 1.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHIMNEY TOPS 2 (14,998 acres, 2016).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2016 CHIMNEY TOPS 2 14,998 93 km
2000 BRUSHY RIDGE 12,405 70 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 24 km
2016 PINNACLE MOUNTAIN 7,869 51 km
2007 LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) 7,151 66 km
2016 CHESTNUT KNOB 6,418 78 km
2016 SILVER MINE 6,082 54 km
2001 SHARP 6,039 87 km
1985 UNNAMED 4,610 87 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 36 km
2017 WHITE CREEK 4,166 69 km
2016 CLEAR CREEK 3,493 44 km
2001 LARMAN 3,072 59 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,976 75 km
2000 TIPTON HILL 2,661 69 km
1998 FOURNEY CREEK 2,579 94 km
2016 HALLS TOP 2,464 73 km
2020 CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP 2,421 97 km
2010 BROWN GAP CREEK-A 2,210 56 km
2013 LOST BEAR EAST 2,167 37 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 39°F (4°C) 4.6 in Coldest
February 39°F (4°C) 4.4 in
March 47°F (8°C) 5.5 in Wettest
April 54°F (12°C) 4.0 in
May 62°F (17°C) 5.0 in
June 69°F (21°C) 4.8 in
July 75°F (24°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 5.0 in
September 66°F (19°C) 4.1 in
October 56°F (13°C) 3.9 in Driest
November 47°F (8°C) 4.3 in
December 39°F (4°C) 4.2 in

Royal Pines has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 39°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.5") and October the driest (3.9").

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