Weather & Climate in Spruce Pine, NC

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

Spruce Pine experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 71°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 57.2 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 2,522 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	52.6°F
	3% below US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,522 ft (769 m)
Area	4.1 sq mi (10.5 km²)
Population Density	586/sq mi
Coordinates	35.9140°N, 82.0697°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Yancey County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 57.2"

51% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.12"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.54"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	42.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	89.6 / 100
Community Resilience	41.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

69 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

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	112 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	107 km	2 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	99 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	81 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	123 km	9 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	134 km	14 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	134 km	17 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	126 km	21 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	68 km	10 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	129 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	4 km	2 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	133 km	0 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	48 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	98 km	16 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	148 km	10 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	46 km	9 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	143 km	11 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	24 km	4 km
Dec 15, 1995	Kentucky-Tennessee border region	M2.8	149 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 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	161 km

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

Tornado History

201 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 361 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	62 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	66 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	94 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	61 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	83 km	19.6 mi	3
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	68 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	41 km	1.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	64 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	94 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	67 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	60 km	4.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	53 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	70 km	8.8 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	67 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	86 km	2.5 mi	0
Nov 15, 2006	EF2	99 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 2005	EF2	82 km	4.0 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	71 km	2.0 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF2	34 km	3.7 mi	0
Aug 16, 1994	EF2	71 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: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	17 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	52 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	17 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	50 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	65 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	49 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	27 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	19 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	22 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	70 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	21 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	24 km
2016	HALLS TOP	2,464	97 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	75 km
2010	BROWN GAP CREEK-A	2,210	84 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	26 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	47 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	14 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	18 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	17 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	36°F (2°C)	4.1 in
March	44°F (7°C)	5.1 in	Wettest
April	52°F (11°C)	4.1 in
May	59°F (15°C)	4.9 in
June	66°F (19°C)	4.7 in
July	71°F (21°C)	4.6 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	4.5 in
September	64°F (18°C)	4.1 in
October	53°F (12°C)	3.8 in
November	45°F (7°C)	4.1 in
December	37°F (3°C)	3.5 in	Driest

Spruce Pine has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 34°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.1") and December the driest (3.5").

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