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Weather & Climate in Sparta, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sparta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 71°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 2,854 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,854 ft (870 m) |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 833/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.5030°N, 81.1226°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Alleghany County County |
| Nearest Airport | Statesville Regional (SVH) 52 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 94.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
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 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 42 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 114 km | 18 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 110 km | 9 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 140 km | 9 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 111 km | 2 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 130 km | 13 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 64 km | 10 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 68 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 61 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 114 km | 16 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 104 km | 11 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 127 km | 4 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 97 km | 0 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 131 km | 3 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 86 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 90 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 43 km | 0 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 128 km | 5 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 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 262 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 201 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
163 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 182 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 74 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 76 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 88 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 90 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 89 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 81 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 63 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 52 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 88 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 66 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 70 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 84 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 99 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 79 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 67 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 88 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 10 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF2 | 85 km | 3.5 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 | 99 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 92 km |
| 1987 | KIWIS CREEK | 4,879 | 97 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 98 km |
| 1987 | SOUTH FORK OF TUG RIVER | 3,490 | 96 km |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 86 km |
| 1991 | JOHNSON HOLLOW | 2,987 | 90 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 94 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,242 | 64 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,194 | 32 km |
| 2016 | RAILROAD GRADE 2016 | 1,790 | 94 km |
| 2010 | HUFF HOLLOW | 1,566 | 63 km |
| 1987 | HAMPTON | 1,536 | 96 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,504 | 88 km |
| 2016 | HORTON | 1,480 | 56 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,460 | 63 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,388 | 66 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,375 | 82 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,348 | 93 km |
| 2013 | TANK HOLLOW | 1,340 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 in |
Sparta has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 32°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (3.0").