Weather & Climate in Walnut Cove, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Walnut Cove enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.2 inches. The area receives 8.7 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 635 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.5°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 635 ft (194 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 809/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.2935°N, 80.1409°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Stokes County County |
| Nearest Airport | Piedmont Triad International (GSO) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 53.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 20.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 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 | 130 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 140 km | 18 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 101 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 107 km | 13 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 137 km | 9 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 102 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 129 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 122 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 126 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 70 km | 0 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 144 km | 11 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 86 km | 2 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 149 km | 6 km |
| Mar 28, 2001 | 2 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.6 | 128 km | 0 km |
| Jul 8, 2023 | Virginia-North Carolina border region | M2.6 | 72 km | 4 km |
| Feb 4, 2021 | 1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina | M2.6 | 91 km | 2 km |
| Jun 17, 2023 | 2 km N of Pembroke, Virginia | M2.6 | 125 km | 9 km |
| Oct 17, 2003 | 5 km E of Gratton, Virginia | M2.5 | 143 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 223 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 178 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 271 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | - | 197 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
222 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 9 fatalities, 203 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 67 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 37 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 41 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 37 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 19 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 89 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 24 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 24 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 77 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 82 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 96 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 95 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 44 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 27 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 52 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 80 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF2 | 63 km | 12.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF2 | 72 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BULL MOUNTAIN (3,300 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 46 km |
| 2020 | UWH NARROWS DAM RX | 1,222 | 98 km |
| 2021 | GRINDSTONE | 1,106 | 31 km |
| 2011 | LUMBER PLANT | 779 | 70 km |
| 2000 | MERRITT CK | 750 | 73 km |
| 2022 | PINE ROAD | 582 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 71°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 in |
Walnut Cove has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.9").