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Weather & Climate in Sugar Mountain, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sugar Mountain experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 299 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 53.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 31.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 4,557 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 50.1°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,557 ft (1,389 m) |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 204/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.1264°N, 81.8647°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Avery County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 76.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.3 / 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 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
48 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 139 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 78 km | 2 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 109 km | 0 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 116 km | 9 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 138 km | 21 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 74 km | 9 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 41 km | 10 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 34 km | 2 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 19 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 84 km | 16 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 141 km | 9 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 119 km | 11 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 49 km | 4 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 56 km | 3 km |
| May 23, 2023 | 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina | M2.8 | 109 km | 1 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 95 km | 6 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 121 km | 0 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 | 173 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
200 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 323 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 52 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 77 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 59 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 85 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 75 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 44 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 81 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 85 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 60 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 62 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 87 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 31 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 77 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 79 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 73 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 91 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 88 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2006 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2005 | EF2 | 71 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF2 | 76 km | 2.0 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 | 29 km |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 80 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 34 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 59 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 87 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 53 km |
| 2022 | LOST BEAR RX FY2022 | 4,276 | 56 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 32 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 50 km |
| 2001 | LARMAN | 3,072 | 91 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 26 km |
| 2000 | TIPTON HILL | 2,661 | 37 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,242 | 49 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,194 | 97 km |
| 2013 | LOST BEAR EAST | 2,167 | 56 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,026 | 60 km |
| 2008 | SUNRISE | 1,906 | 30 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,879 | 41 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,812 | 47 km |
| 2016 | RAILROAD GRADE 2016 | 1,790 | 25 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 4.1 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 56°F (14°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 4.6 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
Sugar Mountain has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 31°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and December the driest (3.5").