Weather & Climate in St. Stephens, NC

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

St. Stephens 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 47.2 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 1,120 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	59.0°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,120 ft (341 m)
Area	9.8 sq mi (25.5 km²)
Population Density	1,037/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7646°N, 81.2729°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Catawba County County
Nearest Airport	Hickory Regional (HKY) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.2"

24% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.72"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	32.4 / 100
Community Resilience	52.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

32 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.

Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	132 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	111 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	146 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	50 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	95 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	74 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	80 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	57 km	9 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	149 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	148 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	97 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	114 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	145 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	98 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	117 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	76 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	134 km	5 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	90 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	58 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	37 km	6 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 3	115 mph	241 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	119 km

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

Tornado History

306 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 286 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	15 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	97 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	43 km	14.0 mi	4
May 8, 2008	EF3	84 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	85 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	71 km	18.5 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF3	99 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	98 km	3.5 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	36 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	71 km	6.2 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	67 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	11 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	83 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	66 km	5.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	44 km	3.2 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	93 km	16.1 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	77 km	2.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	66 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	23 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	96 km	12.5 mi	2

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	57 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	93 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	59 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	38 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	29 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	85 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	56 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	76 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	53 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	95 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	84 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	60 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	64 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	79 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	91 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	48 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	65 km
2001	OAK MT. FIRE	1,677	80 km
1987	HAMPTON	1,536	100 km
2016	HORTON	1,480	50 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	42°F (5°C)	3.9 in
March	49°F (10°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
April	58°F (14°C)	3.5 in
May	66°F (19°C)	4.4 in
June	73°F (23°C)	4.5 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.2 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	4.1 in
September	70°F (21°C)	4.1 in
October	59°F (15°C)	3.7 in
November	49°F (10°C)	3.5 in	Driest
December	41°F (5°C)	3.7 in

St. Stephens has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.7") and November the driest (3.5").

View full profile of St. Stephens, NC →