Weather & Climate in Sylva, NC

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

Sylva enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 74°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 54.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,079 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	56.1°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,079 ft (634 m)
Area	3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²)
Population Density	820/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3754°N, 83.2185°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Jackson County County
Nearest Airport	Asheville Regional (AVL) 38 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.2"

43% above US avg

Snowfall 4.3"

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.34"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.86"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	89.2 / 100
Community Resilience	38.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

144 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	72 km	25 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	130 km	23 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	138 km	35 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	86 km	10 km
Jun 17, 1998	9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee	M3.6	123 km	11 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	15 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	112 km	17 km
Apr 11, 2006	5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee	M3.3	114 km	20 km
Aug 31, 2009	2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee	M3.3	93 km	14 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	81 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	39 km	0 km
May 10, 2006	3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee	M3.2	108 km	25 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	104 km	5 km
Mar 7, 2001	5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee	M3.2	148 km	18 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	76 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	73 km	14 km
Mar 7, 2001	6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee	M3.2	149 km	7 km
Oct 30, 1991	9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia	M3.1	146 km	8 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	104 km	21 km
Sep 24, 1991	6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	89 km	13 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	207 km

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

Tornado History

227 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 334 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	77 km	14.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	85 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	82 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	94 km	13.6 mi	2
Mar 23, 2011	EF3	97 km	5.8 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	77 km	28.0 mi	0
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	91 km	8.0 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	98 km	60.2 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	68 km	6.3 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	92 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	68 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	80 km	8.4 mi	0
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	100 km	21.5 mi	0
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	99 km	14.3 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	78 km	16.9 mi	0
Apr 24, 2010	EF2	99 km	14.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2008	EF2	96 km	5.5 mi	0
Aug 29, 2005	EF2	90 km	5.0 mi	0
Jan 7, 1998	EF2	85 km	1.5 mi	0
Sep 16, 1996	EF2	92 km	6.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	ROCK MOUNTAIN	25,224	51 km
2016	CHIMNEY TOPS 2	14,998	43 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	35 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	54 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	89 km
2024	RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE	8,324	82 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	58 km
2016	MAPLE SPRINGS	7,696	65 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	71 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	26 km
2024	RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE	5,154	83 km
2013	BEAVER DAM	4,336	82 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	98 km
2021	UNNAMED	3,888	83 km
2019	COW CAMP	3,786	77 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	38 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	42 km
2019	JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX	3,120	87 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	70 km
2010	COW CAMP-A	2,953	78 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	5.3 in	Coldest
February	38°F (3°C)	5.2 in
March	45°F (7°C)	6.3 in	Wettest
April	53°F (11°C)	4.7 in
May	60°F (16°C)	5.5 in
June	67°F (19°C)	5.1 in
July	74°F (23°C)	5.2 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	5.0 in
September	65°F (18°C)	4.5 in
October	54°F (12°C)	3.9 in	Driest
November	45°F (7°C)	4.9 in
December	38°F (3°C)	5.2 in

Sylva has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 37°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (3.9").

View full profile of Sylva, NC →