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Weather & Climate in Swannanoa, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Swannanoa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°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 2,210 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 55.4°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,210 ft (674 m) |
| Area | 6.4 sq mi (16.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 947/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.6008°N, 82.3872°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Buncombe County County |
| Nearest Airport | Asheville Regional (AVL) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
84 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 145 km | 25 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 145 km | 23 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 75 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 144 km | 17 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 146 km | 2 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 44 km | 0 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 145 km | 9 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 114 km | 17 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 113 km | 14 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 119 km | 21 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 148 km | 2 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 134 km | 0 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 30 km | 9 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 107 km | 7 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 41 km | 2 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 143 km | 13 km |
| Apr 5, 2005 | 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee | M2.9 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 129 km | 16 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 | 154 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
248 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 415 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 96 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 75 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 71 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 63 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 61 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 67 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF3 | 93 km | 60.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1952 | EF3 | 90 km | 22.7 mi | 2 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 92 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2020 | EF2 | 79 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 75 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 92 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 81 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 79 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2017 | EF2 | 99 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 82 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 61 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 95 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 82 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 82 km | 2.6 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 | 53 km |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 20 km |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 68 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 49 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 66 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 50 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 98 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 73 km |
| 2022 | LOST BEAR RX FY2022 | 4,276 | 20 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 53 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 28 km |
| 2001 | LARMAN | 3,072 | 55 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 59 km |
| 2000 | TIPTON HILL | 2,661 | 53 km |
| 2016 | HALLS TOP | 2,464 | 75 km |
| 2010 | BROWN GAP CREEK-A | 2,210 | 59 km |
| 2013 | LOST BEAR EAST | 2,167 | 20 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,026 | 58 km |
| 2008 | SUNRISE | 1,906 | 50 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,879 | 42 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 4.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 4.3 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 3.9 in |
Swannanoa has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 37°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.4") and October the driest (3.7").