Weather & Climate in Southmont, NC

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

Southmont 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 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 43.7 inches. The area receives 2.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 653 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	653 ft (199 m)
Area	4.6 sq mi (11.8 km²)
Population Density	284/sq mi
Coordinates	35.6504°N, 80.2760°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Davidson County County
Nearest Airport	Mid-Carolina Regional (SRW) 14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 43.7"

15% above US avg

Snowfall 2.4"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.45"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.15"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	87.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	42.4 / 100
Community Resilience	37.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

13 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	135 km	7 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	47 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	137 km	9 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	100 km	8 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	125 km	0 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	59 km	5 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	101 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	128 km	6 km
Jul 8, 2023	Virginia-North Carolina border region	M2.6	127 km	4 km
Feb 4, 2021	1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina	M2.6	121 km	2 km
Jun 12, 2014	4 km NE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.5	136 km	7 km
Mar 26, 2019	8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina	M2.5	48 km	4 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	103 km	14 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

12 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2022	Ian	Category 1	81 mph	279 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	253 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	98 mph	251 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	86 mph	266 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	251 km
2003	Isabel	Category 1	75 mph	259 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	275 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	273 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	151 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	253 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	130 km
1984	Diana	Category 4	132 mph	257 km

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

Tornado History

309 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 341 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	85 km	13.0 mi	1
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	94 km	65.2 mi	6
Mar 28, 2010	EF3	39 km	4.3 mi	0
May 8, 2008	EF3	38 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	42 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	88 km	12.0 mi	2
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	91 km	18.5 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	83 km	12.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF3	50 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	50 km	3.5 mi	0
Oct 7, 1965	EF3	40 km	1.0 mi	1
May 26, 2022	EF2	69 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 31, 2022	EF2	61 km	7.2 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	90 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	31 km	6.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF2	64 km	32.8 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	52 km	5.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	70 km	16.1 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	49 km	3.2 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	57 km	2.9 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

15 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,989 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	UNNAMED	1,989	66 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	99 km
2020	UWH NARROWS DAM RX	1,222	32 km
2021	GRINDSTONE	1,106	79 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	87 km
2002	UNNAMED	889	68 km
2019	UNNAMED	748	91 km
1992	COMP 6 B	737	67 km
2019	ROBEDO SOUTH RX	727	46 km
2018	UNNAMED	665	38 km
2022	PINE ROAD	582	32 km
2022	UNNAMED	579	49 km
2020	UNNAMED	565	49 km
2009	UNNAMED	536	65 km
2024	0101/02_0202 PER RX	511	66 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	3.8 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	3.7 in
March	50°F (10°C)	4.3 in
April	59°F (15°C)	3.2 in
May	66°F (19°C)	4.0 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.2 in
July	78°F (26°C)	4.5 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	76°F (25°C)	4.0 in
September	71°F (21°C)	3.7 in
October	60°F (15°C)	3.6 in
November	51°F (10°C)	3.2 in	Driest
December	42°F (6°C)	3.4 in

Southmont has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and November the driest (3.2").

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