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Weather & Climate in Watauga, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Watauga enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 305 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 48.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,524 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.9°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,524 ft (465 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 725/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.3683°N, 82.2920°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sullivan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 54 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 71.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
92 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Nov 10, 2012 | 6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky | M4.2 | 109 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 116 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 113 km | 23 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 126 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 84 km | 2 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 130 km | 17 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 102 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 120 km | 17 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 121 km | 14 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 105 km | 0 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 99 km | 21 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 147 km | 1 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 43 km | 10 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 120 km | 7 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 96 km | 0 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 58 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 100 km | 9 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 121 km | 13 km |
| Apr 5, 2005 | 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee | M2.9 | 128 km | 10 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 | — | 215 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
122 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 225 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 99 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 47 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 59 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 44 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 19 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 63 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 27 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 38 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 71 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF2 | 88 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF2 | 72 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1980 | EF2 | 89 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1979 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1976 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 65 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 92 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF2 | 40 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF2 | 62 km | 16.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 9, 1965 | EF2 | 39 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (15,138 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 87 km |
| 2000 | BRUSHY RIDGE | 12,405 | 67 km |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 100 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 69 km |
| 2016 | LITTLE SHEPHERD TRAIL | 6,751 | 98 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 68 km |
| 2014 | North Fork Rx | 4,934 | 91 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 97 km |
| 2022 | LOST BEAR RX FY2022 | 4,276 | 74 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 70 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 3,789 | 91 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,740 | 100 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 74 km |
| 2001 | LARMAN | 3,072 | 70 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 67 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,680 | 74 km |
| 2000 | TIPTON HILL | 2,661 | 34 km |
| 2016 | HALLS TOP | 2,464 | 94 km |
| 2016 | RAVEN ROCK | 2,273 | 94 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,242 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 38°F (4°C) | 3.4 in |
Watauga has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 36°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (2.9").