Weather & Climate in Valdese, NC

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

Valdese enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°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 51.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,100 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.9°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,100 ft (335 m)
Area	7.9 sq mi (20.4 km²)
Population Density	597/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7555°N, 81.5727°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Burke County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.5"

36% above US avg

Snowfall 4.5"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.88"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.70"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	70.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	67.8 / 100
Community Resilience	30.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

29 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	122 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	111 km	2 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	150 km	1 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	119 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	75 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	85 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	48 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	55 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	46 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	133 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	71 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	89 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	118 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	75 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	131 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	52 km	9 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	83 km	11 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	71 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	12 km	6 km
Jul 8, 2023	Virginia-North Carolina border region	M2.6	132 km	4 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 1	75 mph	267 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	125 km

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

Tornado History

288 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 275 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	22 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	32 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	82 km	15.0 mi	2
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	81 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	86 km	1.9 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	61 km	6.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	96 km	6.2 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	66 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	95 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	17 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	73 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	71 km	3.2 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	91 km	5.9 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	98 km	2.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	13 km	4.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	49 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	80 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	25 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	38 km	2.5 mi	0
May 9, 2008	EF2	67 km	18.2 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	31 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	68 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	32 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	17 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	6 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	58 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	29 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	49 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	28 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	71 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	93 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	57 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	95 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	34 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	37 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	52 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	72 km
2013	CALIFORNIA CREEK	1,758	92 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	27 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	38 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	41°F (5°C)	4.0 in
March	49°F (9°C)	4.9 in	Wettest
April	57°F (14°C)	3.8 in
May	65°F (18°C)	4.6 in
June	72°F (22°C)	4.6 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.2 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	4.1 in
September	69°F (20°C)	4.2 in
October	58°F (14°C)	3.9 in
November	48°F (9°C)	3.7 in
December	41°F (5°C)	3.7 in	Driest

Valdese has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.9") and December the driest (3.7").

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