Weather & Climate in Rutherfordton, NC

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

Rutherfordton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°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 52.1 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 917 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	58.7°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	917 ft (280 m)
Area	4.1 sq mi (10.7 km²)
Population Density	884/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3641°N, 81.9613°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Rutherford County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.1"

37% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.16"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.74"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	72.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	72.5 / 100
Community Resilience	26.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
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

38 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	114 km	1 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	86 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	109 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	120 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	126 km	10 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	58 km	2 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	93 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	120 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	70 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	91 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	85 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	23 km	6 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	17 km	9 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	127 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	127 km	2 km
Mar 14, 2015	3 km SE of Cherokee, North Carolina	M2.7	120 km	0 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	55 km	6 km
Mar 26, 2019	10 km W of Forest Hills, North Carolina	M2.6	123 km	1 km
Feb 4, 2021	1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina	M2.6	146 km	2 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 4	138 mph	108 km

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

Tornado History

330 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 395 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	77 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	37 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	32 km	15.0 mi	2
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	91 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	84 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	99 km	1.9 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	79 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	68 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	97 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	66 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	78 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	54 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	67 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	35 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	44 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	99 km	8.4 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	95 km	22.3 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	15 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	54 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	93 km	5.8 mi	3

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	56 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	28 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	77 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	52 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	40 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	96 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	89 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	51 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	45 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	53 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	42 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	60 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	83 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	92 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	86 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	90 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	92 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	44 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	98 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,024	92 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	4.2 in	Coldest
February	42°F (6°C)	4.2 in
March	50°F (10°C)	5.2 in	Wettest
April	58°F (14°C)	3.7 in	Driest
May	66°F (19°C)	4.7 in
June	73°F (23°C)	4.6 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.4 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	4.3 in
September	70°F (21°C)	4.0 in
October	59°F (15°C)	4.1 in
November	50°F (10°C)	3.9 in
December	42°F (5°C)	4.0 in

Rutherfordton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (3.7").

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