Weather & Climate in Wilkesboro, NC

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

Wilkesboro enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°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 51.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 973 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.3°F
	6% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	973 ft (297 m)
Area	5.9 sq mi (15.3 km²)
Population Density	556/sq mi
Coordinates	36.1424°N, 81.1769°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Wilkes County County
Nearest Airport	Statesville Regional (SVH) 29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.7"

36% above US avg

Snowfall 5.6"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.69"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.58"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	82.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	86.0 / 100
Community Resilience	26.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

36 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	73 km	2 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	104 km	5 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	74 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	71 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	87 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	110 km	9 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	107 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	44 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	127 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	107 km	4 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	134 km	11 km
Jul 4, 2009	3 km E of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	137 km	0 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	118 km	3 km
Jul 15, 2021	10 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	126 km	20 km
May 12, 2017	6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	130 km	4 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	130 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	76 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	106 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	122 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2005	15 km E of Vansant, Virginia	M2.7	137 km	9 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 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	247 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	161 km

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

Tornado History

240 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 277 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	35 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	83 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	89 km	19.6 mi	3
May 8, 2008	EF3	74 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	73 km	2.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF3	83 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	82 km	3.5 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	30 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	81 km	1.9 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	91 km	6.2 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	48 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	52 km	5.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	67 km	16.1 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	52 km	3.2 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	61 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	98 km	12.5 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	78 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	49 km	2.5 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	72 km	2.6 mi	0
Mar 28, 2010	EF2	84 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: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	71 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	75 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	73 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	61 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	72 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	97 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	66 km
2000	TIPTON HILL	2,661	98 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	75 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,194	72 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	75 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	83 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,812	96 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	85 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	83 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	82 km
2010	HUFF HOLLOW	1,566	99 km
1987	HAMPTON	1,536	90 km
2007	UNNAMED	1,504	91 km
2016	HORTON	1,480	35 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	3.7 in	Coldest
February	40°F (4°C)	3.9 in
March	47°F (9°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
April	56°F (13°C)	3.9 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.6 in
June	71°F (22°C)	4.7 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.4 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.3 in
September	68°F (20°C)	4.3 in
October	57°F (14°C)	4.1 in
November	48°F (9°C)	3.7 in
December	40°F (4°C)	3.6 in	Driest

Wilkesboro has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 38°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.7") and December the driest (3.6").

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