Weather & Climate in Valle Crucis, NC

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

Valle Crucis experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 63°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 57.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 66.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 3,189 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	45.8°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,189 ft (972 m)
Area	4.4 sq mi (11.5 km²)
Population Density	55/sq mi
Coordinates	36.2156°N, 81.7966°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Watauga County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 57.8"

52% above US avg

Snowfall 66.5"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.00"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	71.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.5 / 100
Community Resilience	68.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively High

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

Earthquake History

44 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.

Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	66 km	2 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	149 km	1 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	68 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	120 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	117 km	9 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	148 km	0 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	143 km	21 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	31 km	10 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	85 km	9 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	143 km	0 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	46 km	2 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	129 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	13 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	79 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	59 km	4 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	109 km	11 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	64 km	3 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	119 km	1 km
Jul 15, 2021	10 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	143 km	20 km
May 12, 2017	6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	146 km	4 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 1	—	180 km

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

Tornado History

179 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 298 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	54 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	85 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	82 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	93 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	50 km	19.6 mi	3
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	50 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	71 km	8.4 mi	1
May 26, 2022	EF2	82 km	6.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	64 km	4.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	96 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	68 km	4.2 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	26 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	81 km	8.8 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	81 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	80 km	2.6 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	78 km	4.9 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	82 km	1.1 mi	0
Nov 15, 2006	EF2	100 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 2005	EF2	71 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 2005	EF2	97 km	3.5 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	40 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	92 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	45 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	68 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	96 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	60 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	68 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	43 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	62 km
2001	LARMAN	3,072	100 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	36 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	45 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	39 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,194	86 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	67 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,026	67 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	41 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	52 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	58 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	28 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	3.7 in	Coldest
February	34°F (1°C)	4.0 in
March	41°F (5°C)	5.0 in	Wettest
April	49°F (10°C)	4.2 in
May	57°F (14°C)	4.9 in
June	64°F (18°C)	4.6 in
July	63°F (17°C)	4.6 in
August	67°F (19°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
September	62°F (17°C)	4.2 in
October	52°F (11°C)	4.0 in
November	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in
December	35°F (2°C)	3.4 in	Driest

Valle Crucis has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 27°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 51.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and December the driest (3.4").

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