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Weather & Climate in Stanley, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Stanley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°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 44.0 inches. The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 863 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.8°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 863 ft (263 m) |
| Area | 2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,312/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3547°N, 81.0918°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Gaston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
40 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 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 136 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 137 km | 4 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 36 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 150 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 91 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 107 km | 2 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 138 km | 1 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 104 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 129 km | 8 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 148 km | 3 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 135 km | 2 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 101 km | 6 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 138 km | 11 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 89 km | 9 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 137 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 287 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 287 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 1 | 92 mph | 289 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 282 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 279 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 296 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 218 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 73 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 127 mph | 296 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
369 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 410 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 63 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 46 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 82 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 53 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 93 km | 121.4 mi | 4 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 95 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 90 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 23 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 56 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 68 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 83 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2020 | EF2 | 85 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 35 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 50 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 51 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 92 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 64 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 57 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 86 km | 5.9 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 | 92 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 91 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 59 km |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 80 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 59 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 89 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 90 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 94 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 98 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 98 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 98 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 99 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,964 | 82 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,918 | 76 km |
| 2008 | SUNRISE | 1,906 | 94 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,879 | 93 km |
| 2018 | C-140 EN | 1,860 | 95 km |
| 2016 | TOMBSTONE | 1,747 | 61 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,746 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 3.7 in |
Stanley has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.6") and April the driest (3.1").