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Weather & Climate in Waynesville, NC

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

Waynesville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 71°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 50.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 2,698 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average53.2°F
1% below US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,698 ft (822 m)
Area9.0 sq mi (23.2 km²)
Population Density1,160/sq mi
Coordinates35.4856°N, 82.9993°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyHaywood County County
Nearest AirportAsheville Regional (AVL)
26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.2"
32% above US avg
Snowfall 10.9"
Wettest Month (Mar) 6.81"
Driest Month (Oct) 4.69"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score77.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability61.1 / 100
Community Resilience52.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave No Rating
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

132 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 90 km 25 km
Jan 20, 2020 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee M3.8 140 km 35 km
Jul 30, 1997 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee M3.8 124 km 23 km
Jul 5, 1995 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee M3.7 107 km 10 km
Jun 17, 1998 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee M3.6 136 km 11 km
Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 19 km 1 km
Mar 5, 2019 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee M3.4 112 km 17 km
Apr 20, 2010 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee M3.3 94 km 2 km
Aug 31, 2009 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee M3.3 107 km 14 km
Apr 11, 2006 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee M3.3 135 km 20 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 16 km 0 km
Aug 1, 2009 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee M3.2 126 km 5 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 76 km 17 km
May 10, 2006 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee M3.2 127 km 25 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 74 km 14 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 97 km 21 km
Sep 24, 1991 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 104 km 13 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 66 km 7 km
Apr 13, 2001 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee M3.0 120 km 0 km
Nov 10, 1992 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee M3.0 104 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 4 138 mph 194 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

192 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 318 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011 EF4 95 km 14.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF3 97 km 16.7 mi 1
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 74 km 13.6 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 64 km 15.8 mi 6
Mar 27, 1994 EF3 95 km 28.0 mi 0
Jul 10, 1980 EF3 99 km 1.9 mi 0
May 27, 1973 EF3 95 km 60.2 mi 0
Mar 23, 2022 EF2 72 km 6.3 mi 0
Apr 25, 2020 EF2 86 km 5.5 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 65 km 8.0 mi 0
Oct 8, 2017 EF2 83 km 8.4 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 93 km 8.8 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 97 km 16.9 mi 0
May 7, 1998 EF2 93 km 3.7 mi 0
Jan 7, 1998 EF2 84 km 1.5 mi 0
Sep 16, 1996 EF2 98 km 6.0 mi 0
Jun 26, 1994 EF2 71 km 12.0 mi 0
Mar 27, 1994 EF2 99 km 45.4 mi 0
Apr 4, 1989 EF2 91 km 6.0 mi 0
Apr 4, 1989 EF2 92 km 5.0 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 73 km
2016 CHIMNEY TOPS 2 14,998 51 km
2016 TELLICO 14,172 57 km
2016 BOTELER 8,626 77 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 69 km
2016 PINNACLE MOUNTAIN 7,869 54 km
2016 MAPLE SPRINGS 7,696 85 km
2016 SILVER MINE 6,082 51 km
2001 SHARP 6,039 42 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 75 km
2019 COW CAMP 3,786 97 km
2016 CLEAR CREEK 3,493 84 km
2016 CAMP BRANCH 3,234 61 km
2023 PANTHER KNOB 3,170 65 km
2001 LARMAN 3,072 51 km
2010 COW CAMP-A 2,953 97 km
2001 UNNAMED 2,662 94 km
2000 TIPTON HILL 2,661 93 km
1998 FOURNEY CREEK 2,579 49 km
2016 HALLS TOP 2,464 45 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 35°F (2°C) 5.7 in Coldest
February 36°F (2°C) 5.5 in
March 42°F (6°C) 6.8 in Wettest
April 50°F (10°C) 5.1 in
May 57°F (14°C) 6.1 in
June 64°F (18°C) 5.8 in
July 71°F (22°C) 5.5 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 5.6 in
September 62°F (16°C) 5.2 in
October 52°F (11°C) 4.7 in Driest
November 44°F (6°C) 5.8 in
December 37°F (3°C) 5.4 in

Waynesville has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 35°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 67.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.8") and October the driest (4.7").

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